Feature

How digital automation can enhance efficiency in control cabinet manufacturing

There has been a recent surge in demand for faster, more precise control cabinet manufacturing in the UK, largely driven by the increasing adoption of automation and digital technologies across a range of sectors, including manufacturing and renewable energy.

07/01/2026 16:47:10

While this demand for the next generation of control cabinets offers huge business development opportunities for panel builders, it also creates enormous pressures. Traditional cabinet production methods are heavily reliant on 2D design schematics, manual processes, and individual engineering workflows which are labour- and time-intensive.

Reducing the amount of time it takes to manufacture a control cabinet, without increasing the headcount to the same degree, can make an exponential difference to productivity, profitability, and growth. It’s also a strategic move, since there is a major shortage of skilled labour across the sector at the moment.

Not surprisingly, we’re seeing a growing number of panel builders and system integrators now turning to digitised engineering software platforms and machine automation tools on their shop floor, in a bid to speed up production, with remarkable results.

Recent research from the University of Stuttgart reveals that adopting digital engineering tools and automation systems can cut control cabinet production time by up to 83 percent, depending on the degree of business integration.

Read the full article in DPA's January 2026 issue

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.