AUTOMATION, ROBOTICS & AI


Preparing UK Industry for the future at MACH 2026


Rising costs, skills shortages and global uncertainty are forcing manufacturers to reassess how they operate 


“Skills remain one of the most pressing challenges, as 70 per cent of advanced manufacturing    the right skills in Europe last 


M


anufacturing remains a critical part of the UK economy, contributing around £217 billion in gross value added and employing more than


  the conversation across the industry is shifting. Michael  manufacturers are strengthening operational control, improving resilience and ensuring their operations are ready for future challenges and opportunities. 


  sectors such as aerospace, automotive and high-precision    data-driven decision-making and greater levels of process automation, so that opportunities can be converted into   capitalise on.


THE LABOUR SHORTAGE CHALLENGES Skills remain one of the most pressing challenges, as  per cent 


  59 per cent of UK manufacturers are planning to increase investment in     For manufacturers, apprenticeship programmes represent a long-term investment in building capability,   technology-driven production environments.        critical priorities across the sector. Without effective succession planning and structured training programmes,  that has traditionally been built over decades.


UNLOCKING THE POWER OF AUTOMATION Improving productivity has become a central priority  found that 78 per cent of manufacturers and suppliers ranked productivity as their top operational priority,   supply chain volatility and global competition, manufacturers are increasingly focused on strengthening operational      volume manufacturing environment presents challenges, the  Introducing automation in the right areas can increase


22 March/April 2026 Irish Manufacturing www.irish-manufacturing.com


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