AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS T
he Confederation of British Industry (CBI) reported that UK manufacturing output volumes fell in the quarter leading to June, at a similarly steep pace to the
previous quarter. Workplace environments are often overlooked when the focus is on global headwinds and supply chain challenges. However, the conditions inside facilities, such as air quality and energy use, can directly impact productivity. Here, Karl Walker, Market Development Manager at Beckhoff UK, explains how building automation can help manufacturers close this productivity gap. Like many businesses and organisations,
manufacturers are under pressure to drastically reduce their emissions as the UK pushes towards net zero. Just look at the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS), which requires companies to regularly audit energy consumption and carbon emissions. In recent years, we’ve seen more companies
adopting smart monitoring and building automation to help them comply with these ever-changing standards. However, this technology can also help signpost ways to improve the surrounding environment, such as identifying overheated spaces that could cause drowsiness or pinpointing areas with poor air circulation that may lead to a buildup of CO2 and other pollutants.
“Like many businesses and organisations, manufacturers are under pressure to drastically reduce their emissions as the UK pushes towards net zero.”
WHAT TO MONITOR Environmental monitoring requires a balance. On the one hand, manufacturers must be tracking enough parameters to generate an accurate picture of their facility. But on the other hand, sensors, gateways and other IoT technology can be expensive to install.
USING ENVIRONMENTAL DATA TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY
By Karl Walker, Market Development Manager, Beckhoff UK How building automation can make a difference
Therefore, it’s important to focus on the high- impact metrics; those that directly impact energy performance, operational costs and overall productivity. When it comes to productivity, indoor air
1.2 billion workdays are lost globally each year due to air pollution, which could reach 3.8 billion days by 2060, according to the Clean Air Fund. Employees breathing polluted air are far more likely to get sick and experience reduced cognitive performance Particulate matter, volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) and the fumes released during production processes are all worthwhile areas to track. Once manufacturers have captured this data, they can be proactive in pre-empt any health risks. Operators may also want to observe CO2 levels, temperature and humidity as these can also impact cognitive function and response times.
MAKING DATA ACTIONABLE It’s not just about collecting this data. It’s also about how it’s used. Information can be gathered from various sources: ventilation systems, HVAC units and the building management system (BMS). This data can help establish a performance baseline, but it’s often fragmented and unusable unless consolidated into a single, intelligent platform.
10 NOVEMBER 2025 | FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS Building functions can be integrated
seamlessly into automation infrastructure. For example, Beckhoff’s TwinCAT suite of automation tools can transform almost any PC-based system into a powerful real- time control platform for building services. Manufacturers and facilities managers can collect and act on data from environmental sensors, occupancy detectors and energy meters alongside their standard control logic. If CO2 levels rise, for instance, a smart system improving air quality in that area. By maintaining optimal environmental
conditions, manufacturers can work proactively to reduce staff fatigue, improve concentration and boost overall productivity, particularly in facilities where precision tasks and long shifts are involved. As the CBI’s report shows, UK manufacturing
output has declined slightly in recent months, but improving conditions in facilities could play a part in closing this production gap. It all starts with maintaining a healthy, comfortable environment that staff can thrive in, which means staying on top of environmental inputs. However, it’s not just about tracking metrics like air quality. It’s about bringing data together and making it usable.
Beckhoff
www.beckhoff.com
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