FANUC UK Secures Three Finalist Places at Plastics Industry Awards 2026

Factory automation specialist FANUC UK has secured three finalist places at the Plastics Industry Awards 2026, recognising a medical manufacturing project with Hi-Tech Automation and Nolato Jaycare, the achievements of apprentice Suleymaan Khan, and a joint initiative demonstrating advanced manufacturing technology and developing industry skills.

FANUC’s collaboration with Hi-Tech Automation and Nolato Jaycare is shortlisted for Supplier Partnership – Prime Machinery, while Suleymaan is a finalist for Apprentice or Trainee of the Year. The company also shares a Best Business Initiative of the Year nomination with Sierra 57 Consult, Hi-Tech Automation, and PlastikCity.

The Prime Machinery entry focuses on an advanced automated injection moulding and assembly cell developed to support UK manufacturing. The project required a highly reliable production process capable of enhancing product integrity while simultaneously reducing manufacturing costs and lowering carbon emissions. The resulting solution delivers improved quality, efficiency and sustainability, helping to strengthen domestic production capabilities.

The existing supply chain involved materials being sourced internationally, components manufactured overseas, and finished products shipped to the UK for final processing. To address this, Nolato partnered with Hi-Tech Automation its longstanding automation specialist to develop a UK-based production solution using Fanuc’s advanced automation technology. This approach reduced supply chain complexity while improving efficiency, sustainability and manufacturing resilience.

FANUC’s ROBOGUIDE simulation software helped the partners demonstrate the proposed cell before construction, confirming that assembly, joining, laser marking, and vision inspection could be completed within the moulding cycle. This gave Nolato the confidence and supporting evidence needed to secure the manufacturing programme and proceed with implementation.

The resulting system combines a FANUC ROBOSHOT S150iB all-electric injection moulding machine with an M-10 six-axis robot and an LR Mate robot. It integrates moulding, component assembly, ultrasonic welding, laser marking, vision inspection and testing within a footprint of 18.8m², below the customer’s 25m² limit. The award entry reports output of 1,100 parts per hour against a requirement of more than 900.

Product integrity was a central requirement. Integrating ultrasonic welding and incorporating automated leak testing addressed the leakage and contamination concerns associated with the previous process. No leaks were recorded during the seven-month validation period detailed in the entry.

A single barcode scan configures the cell for the required product variant, including robot programmes, vision inspection settings, and laser marking data. Permanent laser marking provides batch, date, and time information for traceability, while electric actuators reduce reliance on compressed air.

Darren Whitworth, Technical Manager at Nolato, said: “Overall, this partnership approach minimised disruption during the installation and subsequent commissioning and validation phases, allowing us a quicker route to fully validated production. This meant we were able to meet our agreed project milestones during the quotation stage.”

FANUC’s second finalist place recognises Suleymaan Khan, who joined its Robotics Division as a Maintenance Technician Apprentice in September 2024. Combining a Level 3 qualification with practical experience, Suleymaan supports customer technical enquiries, programming activities, training, and automation applications.

His interest in robotics was evident at his apprenticeship interview, when he brought along a robot he had designed and built himself. Since joining FANUC, he has completed nine specialist technical training courses and achieved STPP EAL Certification, taking on increasing responsibility for customer software preparation and technical demonstrations.

Outside work, Suleymaan is developing a low-cost robotic hand kit to help more young people access engineering activities. He has also shared his apprenticeship experience with Year 9 students at the MTC Youth Manufacturing Summit and was named Young STEM Personality of the Year at the Inspirational Youth Awards in February 2026.

Andy Armstrong, Managing Director of FANUC UK, said: “What sets Suleymaan apart is his willingness to go beyond what is expected. He actively seeks opportunities to learn, takes ownership of his development and consistently demonstrates a level of curiosity, initiative and determination beyond his years.”

The third nomination recognises The Future of Precision Engineering event, delivered in partnership with Sierra 57 Consult, Hi-Tech Automation, and PlastikCity at FANUC UK’s Ansty Park headquarters in January 2026. The free, three-day event combined working manufacturing demonstrations, technical discussions, and skills development, giving manufacturers access to practical expertise in automation and production technology.

The winners will be announced on Friday 20 November 2026 at the InterContinental London Park Lane, with comedian and writer Holly Walsh hosting the ceremony.

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