INDUSTRY 4.0 / SMART FACTORIES I
ndustry 4.0 is more than just a buzzword, it’s had a huge impact on the manufacturing and logistics industries for well over a decade. Despite emerging back in 2011, Industry 4.0, which describes rapid
technological advancement in the 21st century, continues to remain relevant to the modern manufacturer in 2025, helping to alleviate long-standing headaches like
and frequent machinery downtime is impacting their bottom-line as a business, or that manual labour needs are becoming providing the answer, showing the power of emerging technologies in transforming factories and production lines. When asked in 2024 how prepared they
were for the Industry 4.0 era, around 65 per cent of manufacturers said they were ‘prepared’, or ‘very prepared’ to adopt digital processes. This leaves 35 per cent of businesses seemingly unsure, unprepared, or unaware of how new technology can Barriers to introducing Industry 4.0 range
from high initial cost outlays to a shortage of digital skills, with staff having to be retrained or upskilled to learn how to handle the demands of smart manufacturing and other technological advancements. Although these hurdles might be a
headache, it’s important for manufacturers to break through, as the long-term gains in far outweigh the short-term challenges. Companies that embrace change will
remain resilient in the face of future supply competitive and ahead of the curve whilst others get left behind.
AUTOMATION WILL PLAY A TRANSFORMATIONAL ROLE IN THE FACTORIES OF THE FUTURE It’s a word manufacturers might be getting bored of hearing, but automation is incredibly vital to ensuring the sector has a sustainable future. From picking and packing, through to
the transportation of materials across the factory floor, robots can work alongside human counterparts to complete menial repetitive tasks and reduce the workload on staff. Here in the UK, the adoption of automation
and robotics is seriously lagging behind other countries. We have an average manufacturing robot density of 111 robots for every 10,000 employees, and an operational stock of under 30k units; something the International Federation of Robotics describes as ‘low’ for a Western European country. Germany by comparison has over 250k units. From speaking to our own customers
operating across the manufacturing industry, I know there are understandable reservations about introducing robotics into the production line.
BREAKING THE BARRIERS TO INTRODUCING INDUSTRY 4.0: WHY THE UK MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY NEEDS TO ACT NOW ON
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION By Andy Turner, Operations Director, SEW-EURODRIVE UK
Beyond cost, a primary concern is safety,
‘what are the risks of robot and human interaction?’. A well-built, well-maintained robot will
actually contributing to workplace safety by reducing the risk of fatigue-induced human error. By bringing robots in, you increase spend more time on complex, skilled projects that require a human touch. And although the wider world may be
concerned with robots replacing humans, we in the manufacturing industry know
12 OCTOBER 2025 | FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS
proved over the past few years. Automation alleviates this struggle, reducing the need for unskilled manual labour, and helping to ageing workforce in the sector.
KEEPS COSTS DOWN AND PRODUCTION LEVELS UP WITH PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE While you may be feeling stumped at the initial cost of introducing new technology predictive maintenance can vastly reduce your downtime and maintenance outlay.
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