n NEWS July/August 2025 www.drivesncontrols.com 10 EVENTS UK MANUFACTURERS ARE leading Europe in their adoption of AI (artificial intelligence) and digital twins, according to a new global survey conducted by Rockwell Automation. The company’s annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report reveals that 53% of UK manufacturers are already implementing machine learning or AI (compared to the European average of 47%), and 94% are either using, or planning to implement, generative AI. Digital twin adoption in the UK has jumped from 21% to 37% in just 12 months, with 35% more planning to adopt digital twins in the next 12 months – the highest rate in Europe. The survey of more than 1,500 manufacturing leaders in 17 countries – 13% of them located in the UK – also reveals that: n 81% of UK manufacturers rate AI/ML as very or extremely important to their future. n 56% of UK manufacturers have already invested in GenAI or causal AI tools (up from 41% last year), with a further 42% planning to do so. n 15% of UK firms say that generative AI delivered the highest ROI of any technology in the past year. Rather than using AI to replace workers, UK manufacturers are using it to enhance their roles and address labour shortages, with 81% seeing AI as a key to recruitment. n 45% of UK firms say they are adopting automation to ease labour shortages (up from 35% last year) and 40% are turning to AI/ML tools to augment existing roles (up from 31%). A further 39% are using technology to design more engaging jobs that attract and retain top talent. n 38% percent of UK manufacturers are planning to upskill their existing workforce – up from 30% last year, and well ahead of the European average. n 97% of UK firms are already investing or planning to invest in cybersecurity platforms, with 21% citing it as their top ROI driver, and 32% seeing cyberattacks as their top external threat – up from 28% last year. n labour shortages are easing, with 19% of manufacturers citing it as a top issue, down from 23% in 2024. n 89% of UK manufacturers now have formal ESG (environmental, social and governance) policies, with 56% citing efficiency as being the main driver, ahead of compliance with regulations (cited by 43%). Almost a third (32%) are using AI/ML to track ESG. Rockwell says that in a single year, GenAI has gone from a curiosity to a priority in the UK, and is being deployed rapidly in applications such as writing code, generating training content and documentation, compliance reporting, cybersecurity and customer communications. Quality control is the most common use for AI/ML, cited by 50% of manufacturers (up from 38% last year). This is in line with the global trend, but slightly ahead of the European average (48%) and well behind that in the Middle East (68%). But the UK still trails behind Europe in its use of digital twins, and they are not yet perceived as high-impact technologies by most UK manufacturers. When asked which tools had delivered the biggest business value over the past year, only 3% of UK respondents cited digital twins or simulation – down from 7% in 2024. This reflects a lag between adoption and realised returns, Rockwell suggests. It argues, however, that digital twins are becoming an essential layer in the UK’s smart manufacturing stack. For the results of Rockwell’s global survey of manufacturers, see pages 36-37. UK manufacturers lead Europe in adopting AI and digital twins Generative AI tools can help manufacturers to eliminate unplanned downtime EMO Hannover 2025 22-26 September, 2025 Hannover, Germany Around 1,500 exhibitors from 40 countries are expected at the biennial metalworking show which covers areas including production systems, measuring technologies, machine tools, and software. Focus topics for 2025 include automation, AI and digitalisation, and sustainability. https://emo-hannover.com PPMA Total 2025 23-25 September, 2025 NEC, Birmingham The UK’s largest exhibition dedicated to processing and packaging machinery returns to the NEC for three days. More than 350 exhibitors and 7,500 visitors are expected to attend. There will be guided tours of the hall, hosted by industry experts. www.ppmashow.co.uk Engineering Design Show 2025 Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry 8–9 October, 2025 Claimed to be the UK’s biggest event for design engineers, the show is expected to attract more than 200 exhibitors and 4,500 visitors. It is dedicated to mechanical, electronic and embedded design. In addition to the exhibition, there will be more than 50 conferences and workshops. www.engineeringdesignshow.co.uk MachineBuilding.Live 2025 15 October, 2025 National Agricultural Exhibition Centre, Stoneleigh Park This one-day event moves to a new venue this year. Its organisers describe it as “a unique opportunity to meet face-to-face with the largest array of machine-building, systems integration and factory automation technical experts ever assembled in one place at one time in the UK”. https://machinebuilding.live Digital Manufacturing 2Day 22 October, 2025 MTC, Coventry A one-day event at the Manufacturing Technology Centre dedicated to the technologies, strategies, and people driving the digital transformation of manufacturing. The theme is: Navigating and Mastering Digital Transformation. In addition to presentations by expert speakers and panel sessions, the event will include an exhibition. https://mtcevents.co.uk/ upcoming-events/digital-manufacturing-2day/ Advanced Engineering 2025 29-30 October, 2025 NEC, Birmingham The organisers says that Advanced Engineering is the only UK event connecting all industrial ecosystems, driving high-value manufacturing and supply chain solutions. There will be more than 400 exhibitors, and five forums hosting talks by more than 150 speakers. Additions this year include an SME village, an electronics zone and an expanded composites pavilion. www.advancedengineeringuk.com
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