FANUC calls for wider automation uptake to realise true value of UK manufacturing sector
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FANUC UK’s Managing Director, Tom Bouchier, has highlighted the importance of automation in ensuring the UK fully realises the value that the manufacturing sector can bring to our economy. Speaking at the first day of FANUC UK’s Open House event in Coventry (12-14 November 2024), he stated: “Despite our heritage as a leading
manufacturing nation, we’ve slipped to 12th place in the global manufacturing league table 1. This is in part due to our reluctance to automate, which is in turn impacting productivity levels. Manufacturing already contributes so much to the UK – it directly accounts for 8 percent of our GDP, with its wider impact when looking down the supply
chain driving up this figure to an impressive 23 percent. Yet we are well below the global average for automation uptake of 162 robots per 10,000 workers, at just 119 robots per 10,000 workers. Increasing automation levels will not only help manufacturers combat labour challenges and sustainability concerns, it will also increase our
productivity levels and enable us to compete globally as a leading manufacturing nation, benefiting not only the sector but the country as a whole.”
Driving productivity
Fast establishing itself as the highlight of the automation calendar, FANUC UK’s annual Open House event showcases the full spectrum of industrial automation. Combining expert presentations, panel debates and end-user case studies with hands-on robot demonstrations, a packed exhibition area, and the live finals of the WorldSkills UK Industrial Robotics competition, it perfectly highlights the benefits of automation to UK manufacturers and other key stakeholders.
The opening of this year’s event was marked with official visits by Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, and Simon Ward, Mayor of Rugby. Following a tour of the impressive FANUC facility at Ansty Park in Coventry, Richard Parker addressed the audience with a rousing call to action. “Automation can help to transform our manufacturing and engineering sectors, not just in the West Midlands but across the UK. We need to ensure that manufacturing isn’t just the history of our region; with automation and technology, it can be our future, too.”
Simon Ward added: “Events such as this are vital if we are to continue building for our future. My mayoral theme is youth, and it’s encouraging to hear about the work that FANUC is doing to engage young people into a career in engineering. However, it’s clear that we need to catch up with our global counterparts when it comes to productivity – through automation, and by engaging with our future workforce, we can help to do this.”
Collaboration and commitment
The morning’s first session was a joint presentation on unlocking the full potential of industrial robotics by Airbus’ Marco Chacin and Oliver Selby, Head of Sales for FANUC UK and BARA Chair. Marco outlined the challenges of integrating automation into the aerospace industry – a sector which, due to the size of parts, safety requirements and slow cycle times, is still heavily reliant on manual labour.
Marco explained that the need to drill 100 million holes each year became a key driver for the use of robotics at Airbus. Collaboration with FANUC led to the development of a brand-new highly accurate, highly stiff drilling robot (the M-800iA/60) which is now in use across Airbus’ production line.
“More and more, the conversations we’re having with customers are centred around collaboration and commitment,”said Oliver. “Whether working in partnership with OEMs like FANUC, catapults such as the AMRC, or educational institutions like Sheffield University, barriers to automation are being unlocked, helping manufacturers to increase their productivity and futureproof their operations.”
2025 and beyond
Other day 1 presentations at the Open House included Steven Grace from Cummins, who outlined the successes and challenges of his company’s global automation project, and Henry Anson, MD of The Manufacturer, who revealed the key manufacturing trends for 2025.
“Overall, it’s a cautiously optimistic picture for the coming year, particularly following the Autumn Budget,” he stated. “In 2025, manufacturers can expect a continued emphasis on sustainable manufacturing practices, accelerating the rate of digital transformation and increasing resilience through localised supply chains.”
Following on from the success of the first day of FANUC’s Open House event, Day 2 (Weds 13th Nov) will focus on education, featuring speeches by current engineering apprentices. Day 3 (Thurs 14th Nov) will centre on UK Automation 2030, including a presentation on integrating automation into SMEs by the West Midlands Robotics Cluster.
