FHS-APR24-PG28_Layout 1 14/04/2024 12:23 Page 28
AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS
study surveyed more than 1,500 respondents from 17 countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Among many findings, three major trends
R
emerge from this report: the AI revolution is here for manufacturing, technology is being deployed to give the workforce superpowers, and building resiliency in operations is growing in importance. "The world has changed, and manufacturing has changed with it, but there is more to do," said Asa Arvidsson, regional vice president sales, north region, Rockwell Automation. "Talent continues to be elusive globally. As manufacturers continue to seek opportunities for profitable growth, they are finding that uncertainty in workforce availability is impacting quality and their ability to meet their customers’ needs and transform at pace. "The clear message from this report is that
manufacturers view technology as an advantage for improving quality, agility, and innovation, and for attracting the next generation of talent. Manufacturers expect to mitigate risk through technology tied to process and people, build resiliency, and drive future success."
THE AI REVOLUTION IS HERE According to this year's survey, automation and optimisation through artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are the main reasons for smart manufacturing investments within the UK. In the 2024 survey, 88 per cent of responding companies in the UK said they have invested, or plan to invest in the next 12 months, in AI and ML. This is above the European figure of 84 per cent and highest among all the European countries surveyed, matching the United States. When companies deploy the technology, there are four standout applications: quality control (38 per cent), cybersecurity (37 per cent), logistics (34 per cent), and customer service (32 per cent).
ockwell Automation has announced the results of the 9th annual “State of Smart Manufacturing Report,” offering valuable insights into trends, challenges, and plans for global manufacturers. The
STUDY SHOWS UK LEADING THE AI AND MACHINE LEARNING CHARGE FOR ENHANCED PRODUCTIVITY
EMPOWERING AND SUPER-CHARGING PEOPLE In any digital transformation, employees risk being the forgotten factor. According to the survey, manufacturers are investing in people and technology to advance. Rather than having AI replace roles, organisations are looking to use AI to tackle roles they are struggling to fill today. To address the manufacturing industry's labor shortage and skills gap, 38 per cent of companies in the UK are spreading the net in their search for talent by leveraging remote work to access a wider talent pool for remote- capable jobs.
BUILDING RESILIENCY IN OPERATIONS AND PROCESSES Quality remains a top priority for companies in the UK, which ranked it first at 42 per cent. While Europe also listed cost and efficiency, along with quality, in their top three, the UK went in a different direction. Its top priorities behind quality were improving the company's financial position and improving decision- making with data, both at 35 per cent. "The findings of this year's State of Smart
Manufacturing Report underscore a pivotal moment for the industry, as UK manufacturers lead the charge in integrating AI and machine learning technologies,” Arvidsson concludes. “This strategic embrace is not merely about technological adoption but signifies a broader transformation towards smarter, more resilient manufacturing ecosystems.
By leveraging AI to enhance data-driven decision-making and operational efficiency, UK manufacturers are setting new benchmarks for innovation and competitiveness on the global stage.”
KEY UK FINDINGS INCLUDE:
AI ranks as the top capability that manufacturers believe will drive the biggest business outcomes. 79 per cent of UK manufacturers expect to use generative AI (GenAI) in their operations in 2024.
94 per cent of UK manufacturers expect to use AI and ML in advanced analytics compared to 91 per cent globally, the highest percentage of any country surveyed.
A lack of skill set is the most significant barrier to implementing smart manufacturing technologies in the UK, at 33 per cent - the highest percentage of all European countries surveyed.
25 per cent of UK manufacturers believe that they lack the skilled workforce to outpace the competition over the next 12 months, significantly lower than Germany's 41 per cent and France’s 40 per cent.
Across Europe, companies reported a 30 per cent per cent increase in technology spending year-over-year. In the UK, 73 per cent of companies spend between 21 per cent and 50 per cent of their operating budget on technology investment, the highest level in Europe.
34 per cent of companies in the UK believe that management in leading companies use of data to develop better AI and ML applications. Other key answers were cybersecurity (32 per cent), energy management, sustainability tracking, and predictive maintenance, all at 31 per cent.
Cybersecurity is third on the list of external challenges companies in the UK face, with 28 per cent of companies citing it as a problem.
Rockwell Automation
www.rockwellautomation.com
28 APRIL 2024 | FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54
