News June/July 2025 www.pwemag.co.uk Plant & Works Engineering | 07 So the long wait is over. Make UK has long campaigned for a modern, ambitious and long-term industrial strategy which it believes is essential to achieving the Government’s mission for long-term economic growth and supporting its 5 growth missions. For too long, the UK has lacked a clear and unifying direction across its industries, leading to challenges in achieving industrial success. That is why we believe the announcement will be welcomed by manufacturers across the UK as the first step in boosting investment in capital and advanced skills. It will also show overseas investors that UK is open for business, has a stable platform and a Government committed to welcoming them here. Importantly, the strategy is cross Government and focuses on three key areas where Make UK believes urgent action was needed. First, the UKs industrial electricity prices are the highest in the developed world and presented an existential threat to companies. That is why it was vital to reduce them and the announcement of a consultation with the aim of bringing them in to line with our EU competitors is extremely welcome. It’s now essential that Government moves at pace with the consultation and implements a scheme as soon as possible so that companies can start to benefit. Secondly, an industrial strategy will only be as successful with the highly skilled workforce to take advantage of it. The sector currently faces a skills crisis with around 50,000 unfilled vacancies and the investment announced today will not just help fill these in the short term but start to develop the talent pipeline for the future. Moving forward it’s now essential Government develops a long term vision for skills for manufacturing and ensures a training system is in place to deliver it. Finally, the vast majority of manufacturers are SMEs and, for too long, access to external finance has been one of the biggest barriers to growth for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs. The £7 billion in funding for the British Business Bank, marks a major step forward to support more UK businesses to invest, scale up, and seize new market opportunities. Moving forward there is still scope to do far more, especially on energy and skills. But, after so long in the wilderness, the fact that ‘industrial strategy’ is back in vogue and, at the centre of government policy is a major step forward. By MAKE UK chief executive, Stephen Phipson MAKE uk - the manufacturers’ organisation monthly news comment Global research report from Rockwell Automation reveals how UK manufacturers are leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance workforce capabilities and drive operational resilience. Rockwell Automation, the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, has unveiled the UK findings of its 10th annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report. The research reveals that the United Kingdom is setting the pace in Europe, with manufacturers rapidly adopting artificial intelligence (AI), investing in workforce up-skilling, and prioritising cybersecurity as a strategic foundation for growth. The study, based on feedback from more than 1500 manufacturing leaders globally, highlights the UK’s striking progress in digital transformation. With 53% of UK manufacturers already implementing machine learning or AI on the factory floor, and an impressive 98% either using or planning to implement generative AI, the country is leading Europe in applied artificial intelligence. “AI is no longer just an emerging trend for UK manufacturers, it has become the driving force behind their transformation,” said Phil Hadfield, managing director at Rockwell Automation. “By combining a humancentric workforce strategy with deliberate digital investment, UK firms are not only embracing innovation but also achieving tangible performance improvements that position them as leaders in the global manufacturing landscape.” AI and generative AI are being deployed in quality control, cybersecurity, training content, and compliance reporting. Already, 15% of UK firms say GenAI delivered the highest ROI of any technology in the past year. Rather than replacing workers, UK manufacturers are using AI to enhance roles and address labour shortages. Thirty-eight percent of UK companies plan to upskill existing talent, up from 30% last year and well ahead of the European average of 30%. Cybersecurity has emerged as a foundational priority. With 97% of UK firms already investing or planning to invest in cyber platforms, and 21% citing it as their top ROI driver, businesses are building secure infrastructure before expanding digital services. Thirty-two percent now see cybersecurity as a top external risk, up from 28% last year. Meanwhile, digital twin adoption has jumped from 21% to 37% in just 12 months, with the UK reporting the highest planned adoption rate in Europe. Sustainability strategies also continue to mature, with 89% of manufacturers now operating under formal ESG policies, and 56% citing efficiency, not compliance, as the main driver. To view the full findings of the State of Smart Manufacturing Report please visit: https://bit.ly/3FQ3EdW UK emerges as Europe’s digital manufacturing frontrunner powered by AI and workforce transformation
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