n NEWS THE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY CENTRE (MTC) has released a White Paper arguing that the UK should learn lessons from abroad on how to accelerate its adoption of robots and autonomous systems (RAS) to unlock economic and industrial benefits, and to boost productivity. It suggests a path to speed up adoption of these technologies, build a strong base of RAS businesses to boost investor confidence, align regional priorities, and lay the groundwork for a coordinated national action plan. Called Global Robotics Clusters Study: A Blueprint to Accelerate the UK Adoption of Robotics & Autonomous Systems, the paper examines how high-impact robotics clusters have been created in other parts of the world – including Denmark, Germany, Singapore and the US. The report goes behind the scenes of these hubs to uncover how they work. It explores how long-term investment, shared testbeds, and targeted adoption programmes are helping businesses to move from pilot projects to deployed systems. It highlights how robotics clusters are not just collections of companies, but carefully nurtured systems that connect industry, academia, government, and investors around a shared mission. The report contrasts the success of the overseas clusters with the situation in the UK, highlighting some of the barriers that are slowing the transition from research to widespread industrial use. These include: n the relatively low number of robots in the UK; n slow uptake among SMEs; n skills shortages; n unclear routes to market; n fragmented support; and n short funding cycles. By comparing these issues with global best practice, the report identifies where the UK’s efforts are diverging, and outlines a coordinated national and regional blueprint that, it argues, could close the gaps and drive faster adoption. The report calls for a UK-wide action plan to align government activity in areas such as adoption, standards and technology translation. Regionally, it recommends establishing a small number of robotics clusters that would act as vendor-neutral proving grounds, offering shared testbeds and early-stage procurement routes to help businesses deploy mature technologies more quickly. “What stands out from the most successful global clusters is that businesses thrive when the pathway to adoption is simple, proven and properly supported,” says the MTC’s chief automation officer, Mike Wilson. “Too often in the UK, companies are left to navigate fragmented advice and short-term initiatives, which slows momentum and adds risk. “This blueprint is about giving businesses a clearer route: consistent support, access to trusted technology partners, and environments where solutions can be tested before committing to capital,” he adds. “This shift will give organisations the confidence to adopt robotics, helping to shorten adoption cycles, reduce costs and make automation a realistic step for businesses of every size while improving productivity across the UK.” www.the-mtc.org/insights/global-roboticsclusters-study-blueprint-accelerate-ukadoption-robotics-autonomous March 2026 www.drivesncontrols.com 8 MTC: UK should learn lessons from abroad to boost its use of robots The MTC report argues that the UK could learn from the Odense Robotics hub in Denmark, which has more than 300 member companies Yasa, the UK designer and manufacturer of axial-flux motors owned by Mercedes-Benz, has appointed Andy Morley as its chief commercial officer. He is returning to Yasa after nine years with the gearbox manufacturer Hewland, where he was managing director for the past five years. Morley previously worked at Yasa from 2013 to 2016, playing a key role in its early development. His appointment strengthens Yasa’s leadership as it expands its powertrain systems portfolio and accelerates growth with third-party customers. HepcoMotion has appointed David Steele as its production director. He will oversee all aspects of production both at its Tiverton, Devon, headquarters and at Hepco Europe in Veghel in The Netherlands. He will also support the development of apprentices and emerging leaders in the company. Steele joined Hepco as an apprentice 26 years ago, and has held a variety of roles in the company. Nearly a third of Hepco’s management team began their careers as apprentices with the company. EVENTS MACH 2026 20–24 April, 2026 NEC, Birmingham The manufacturing technologies event, organised by the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA), has sold more than 90% of its floorspace. More than 30,000 members of the UK manufacturing community are expected to attend. Spread across five halls will be a series of interactive Knowledge Hubs providing visitors with impartial advice. One Hub will be dedicated to Automation and Robotics; another will focus on Data and AI. https://www.machexhibition.com Hannover Messe 2026 20-24 April, 2026 Hannover, Germany The industrial mega-show returns to its North German venue and is expected to attract around 4,000 exhibitors (including more than 300 start-ups) from the engineering and digital industries, as well as the energy sector. AI will be a common thread. There will be three main exhibition areas: Automation & Digitalisation; Energy & Industrial Infrastructure; and Research & Technology Transfer. The partner country for 2026 is Brazil. www.hannovermesse.de/en CWIEME Berlin / EEMODS 26 19-21 May, 2026 Berlin, Germany The world’s largest coil-winding and electrical manufacturing exhibition will host the biennial EEMODS (energy efficiency in motor-driven systems) conference for the first time in 2026. The conference is expected to attract experts and policymakers from around the world to discuss efficiency and regulatory issues regarding motors, pumps and compressors. 2026 also marks CWIEME Berlin’s 30th anniversary. https://berlin.cwiemeevents.com/home Smart Manufacturing Week 2026 3–4 June, 2026 NEC, Birmingham Smart Manufacturing Week (SMW), described as the UK’s biggest festival of advanced manufacturing and engineering, will have a fresh look and new features for 2026. It includes Drives & Controls, Smart Factory Expo, Maintec, Design & Engineering Expo, the Manufacturing Digitalisation Summit and The Manufacturer Top 100 Awards. New attractions for 2026 include fighting robots, extra showfloor theatres, and Future Stage – a window into the future of industry. www.smartmanufacturingweek.com Hillhead 2026 23-25 June, 2026 Hillhead Quarry, Buxton, Derbyshire The UK’s largest quarrying, construction and recycling equipment exhibition takes place every two years in a working Derbyshire quarry. It includes live demonstrations of quarrying equipment. Across its three days, the show is expected to attract around 600 exhibitors and nearly 20,000 visitors. Hillhead 2026 is on course to be the largest event in the show’s 44-year history. www.hillhead.com
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