Automation and the future of UK manufacturing – In conversation with ABB Robotics

Your recent open day focused on demonstrating how automation can help your customers ‘outrun’ by innovating, automating and elevating their operations. What does this look like in practical terms? 
When it comes to automation, whether you’re a small SME or a large global enterprise, I would always say: start small, prove it, and then scale. That then builds confidence and wins hearts and minds internally to support further investment.

So, the approach to automation is the same for both small and large businesses?
Broadly, yes. Larger companies often have more financial stability to invest, so they may start slightly further along the automation journey. But certainly, for smaller companies, a £20-30k robot can be a major investment. They need support to integrate it; for example, they may employ simulation software, such as ABB’s RobotStudio, to demonstrate that the robot will do what they need it to do – that they’ll get return on investment. This helps to prove the value upfront, and gives SMEs the confidence to move ahead with investment.

Do you tend to find that manufacturers scale automation processes quickly once they start their journey? 
Yes, once they understand how to use automation and begin seeing its benefits, businesses often scale rapidly. 
It’s also important to note that automation is not about replacing people. Once manufacturing companies start redeploying people into more meaningful tasks and functions that add more value to their business, automation stops being seen as a threat and becomes a genuine asset.

So, how can robotics help businesses that might be struggling to remain competitive on the global stage due to current geopolitical issues, tariffs and supply chain disruptions? 

Read the full article in DPA's December issue