UK Manufacturing Becomes Eighth in the World, But Automation Could Boost Things Further

According to data released by Make UK, UK manufacturing has become eighth in the world rankings, overtaking France. This puts the UK one position higher than it was last year. This news is something that industry leaders have welcomed. However, by increasing the use of automation, UK manufacturing could continue to climb the ranks.

There has long been a link between countries that embrace automation and how successful they are in manufacturing. China, Japan, the US, the Republic of Korea and Germany are currently the five major manufacturing nations. They are also the five major markets for industrial robots. There is an argument to say that the UK is falling behind these countries because the UK hasn’t embraced automation in quite the same way, meaning that opportunities are being missed.

Currently, the UK is the only G7 country that isn’t ranked in the top 20 in regards to robot use, with 111 robots per 10,000 employees. This puts the UK in 24th place, behind countries such as Germany which has three times the amount. But, considering our lack of automation, coming in at eight place in the world’s manufacturing rankings is something to be proud of. It’s easy to see that automation could boost things even further.

Accelerating Automation in the UK

There are a lot of benefits that come with automating aspects of the manufacturing process, such as increased productivity and reduced waste. This is why a lot of industry leaders are looking at ways to propel the UK forward. For one, a modern industrial strategy is needed, and it’s something that a lot of other countries already have. It’s also important to involve automation providers, in a bid to ensure there is a pipeline of talented and skilled engineers to utilise as the industry develops. With talented engineers, boosting productivity and improving manufacturing output is within reach.

Responsibility also comes down to UK manufacturers, who need to keep up with current trends. It’s important for manufacturers to be educated about automation and its benefits. This can come from sharing knowledge, learning from industry leaders, and breaking down the barriers to automation.

Though the UK coming in eighth in the world is something to celebrate, improvements can still be made, and there is still room for growth.

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