Manufacturing has been the backbone of the UK economy for a long time. But like any industry, it’s constantly evolving. With new technologies, growing concerns about sustainability, and more, the future of UK manufacturing is changing. Here are the trends that are currently shaping the industry.
Technological Advancements
Advanced technologies like AI (artificial intelligence), IoT (the Internet of Things), and robotics are rapidly growing and moving into more areas of UK manufacturing. With 70% of manufacturers investing in new digital technologies, they’re driving increased productivity, creating more demand for higher-level skills, and improving their energy efficiency.
Also on the rise is Industry 4.0, also called the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It’s the next phase of digitisation in manufacturing and is driven by disruptive trends like the rise of data and connectivity, analytics, and human-machine interaction.
Sustainability
The UK is committed to reducing its carbon footprint, and manufacturing plays a huge role. Companies are starting to invest in energy-efficient technologies to reduce emissions and cut costs. This not only helps the environment, but it also makes businesses more competitive.
The reduction of waste is also becoming a huge trend. Manufacturing processes like plastic injection moulding are evolving to be more environmentally friendly by reducing and reusing the amount of waste generated during production.
Supply Chain Resilience
The COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit have highlighted the importance of having resilient supply chains and have prompted UK manufacturers to re-evaluate and diversify their supply chains.
In recent years, a big trend has been bringing manufacturing back to the UK. Companies are starting to do this to reduce their reliance on overseas production, which is risky due to factors like political instability, shipping delays, and higher costs. By doing this, companies can have better control over their production processes,
Skills and Workforce Development
Addressing the skills gap is more crucial than ever before. According to the Engineering Employers Federation (EEF), 62% of manufacturers are struggling to find workers with the skills they need. To keep the industry moving, a new trend is to invest in upskilling the workforce and attracting the next generation of talent.
The UK is beginning to invest more in education and training problems to help workers gain the skills they need. Apprenticeships are becoming more and more popular in preparing the next generation of manufacturing professionals.
Labour Market
There are now signs that the industry labour market is easing off following a period of high vacancies and high employment costs. The average monthly number of vacancies per 100 employee jobs has gradually declined since 2021 when it was at an all-time high but is now approaching pre-pandemic levels.
Conclusion
As it stands, the UK manufacturing industry is at a pivotal moment shaped by technological advancements, an emphasis on sustainability, and the need to build a skilled workforce. As these trends continue to grow, manufacturers must be agile and forward-thinking to remain competitive.
