Cross-Generation Collaboration Is Key to Futureproofing UK Manufacturing

At FANUC’s Open House event, manufacturing leaders from across industry and academia have highlighted the importance of attracting, retaining and inspiring talent of all ages to ensure the sector remains competitive on the global stage.

A lively panel discussion at the event (3–4 November, Ansty Park, Coventry) featured insight from Manufacturing UK founder Andrea Wilson, ConeX’s Sam Baynham, Dr Gilbert Tang of Cranfield University and Automate BEST Lead Project Manager Charlie Allen. Discussing ways to solve labour challenges and tackle culture change, the panel agreed that more needs to be done to challenge outdated perceptions of manufacturing and showcase the technological innovations and automation solutions that reflect the sector today, as a way to encourage more young people to follow an engineering career.

However, this was backed up by a belief that retaining existing core talent by upskilling them in areas such as automation, AI, machine vision and robotics, as well as encouraging inter-generation mentoring and collaboration opportunities, is also vital.

“At FANUC, we are dedicated to supporting manufacturing firms to increase their productivity and competitiveness through automation,” says FANUC UK Managing Director Andy Armstrong. “This also includes helping to train their workforces to get the most out of their equipment, to ensure they have the skills needed to compete in an international marketplace. Events such as our Open House are an ideal way to showcase the breadth of exciting technological developments available to today’s manufacturers, as well as inspiring the next generation of engineers.”

An earlier panel discussion focused on tips and suggestions to help firms take their first steps on their automation journey and maximise their ROI. With advice including focusing on your operational challenge, not the technology; starting small to build confidence; involving your staff from the outset; and working with the automation supply chain to de-risk the process, it was clear that there is no automation hurdle that can’t be overcome, providing you have the right support. As host and moderator Thomas Flude concluded: “If we don’t automate, we don’t compete.”

Also featuring an exhibition of the latest technology from FANUC’s system integrator partners and companies within the wider supply chain, as well as live demonstrations of the CRX collaborative robot range, ROBOMACHINES and FANUC’s factory automation and CNC solutions, the free-to-attend Open House event is the perfect place for manufacturers to begin their automation journey or take the next step.

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