As the UK’s manufacturing sector seeks to compete within an increasingly volatile and uncertain global market, industry leaders are looking for ways to stay ahead, following National Manufacturing Day.
While recent industry reports show positive signs of boosted UK manufacturing activity and strength on a global stage, there’s work to do to stabilise and see growth all whilst mitigating the persistent challenges of skills shortages and rising costs.
Last week was UK National Manufacturing Day (Thursday 25th September). It saw industry leaders weigh in with their thoughts on what’s needed for British manufacturing to capitalise on the latest technology, build momentum in an increasingly competitive sector and ultimately remain a strong global hub.
Protecting against unpredictable external developments
External factors, global events and shifts in economic policy deeply impact the stability and growth of the manufacturing industry, that is why resilience is integral to the sector’s ability to stay agile.
Dean Reddington, Manufacturing Technology Specialist at ECI Solutions, sees that resilience is being increasingly built into manufacturing operations to become future proof. He says: “Following National Manufacturing Day, it’s great to reflect on the industry’s progress. Recent reports highlight an encouraging uptick in UK manufacturing activity and a rise in global rankings – proof of the sector’s resilience.
“Despite this, we can’t stand still. To remain competitive, manufacturers must continue to embrace technology that streamlines everything from supply chain management, orders and documentation. Only then will they be able to stay agile in a world where economic and environmental factors continue to throw curve balls.
“Too often, businesses rely on a single employee as a ‘knowledge hub’ – an unsustainable and inefficient way of sourcing vital information. While this may have worked in The Industrial Revolution, it’s certainly not an appropriate approach for the modern manufacturer.
“By embracing innovation and cloud-based systems, we’ve seen many manufacturers build resilience, efficiency, and flexibility into their operations – enabling them to capitalise on opportunities and stay future fit for what lies ahead.”
Boosting tech education in the sector is vital
The UK’s position as a global tech hub and innovator shows there is significant reason to remain optimistic according to Mark Gray, UK & Ireland Country Manager at Universal Robots, who believes SMEs offer something unique to the sector. He says: “The manufacturing sector has long been at the forefront of British innovation and ingenuity, with much of this progress driven by SMEs. Britain has reason to be optimistic about the future of its manufacturing industry, and SMEs remain central to positioning the UK as a nation of successful innovation.
“To turn this optimism into lasting growth, we must strengthen education and raise awareness of how new technologies can enhance, rather than replace, human productivity. The solution begins with skills. We need clear, accessible ‘learn and earn’ pathways to build a pipeline of homegrown talent, equipping the next generation of UK manufacturers for the decade ahead.
“The shift in mindset cannot rest on the national government alone. Academia, business leaders and industry alike share the responsibility of ensuring manufacturers have the knowledge and awareness to fully embrace new technologies and drive strong growth over the coming years.”
Smarter manufacturing, smarter growth
With several evolving demands to balance as well as continuing to drive economic value, more manufacturers are turning to smart solutions that maximise productivity, sustainability and knowledge retention, as discussed by Cognizant’s Prasanth Thomas, UKI Consulting Head for Manufacturing, Logistics, Energy and Utilities. Thomas says, “National Manufacturing Day is an opportunity to recognise the resilience and innovation of UK manufacturers, who continue to effectively navigate the challenges of supply chain disruption, rising costs, and the need to decarbonise.
“Increasingly, they are turning to smart manufacturing to respond, adopting AI and automation to build agility and cut costs. This wave of digitalisation could deliver huge economic value, adding up to £150 billion to the UK economy by 2035.
“But progress also depends on people. Our research shows 42% of large manufacturers see the skills shortage as the biggest barrier. The UK Government’s Industrial Strategy rightly prioritises advanced manufacturing and skills development, but the industry must match this with investment in training and digital upskilling.
“Those who act now will be best placed to withstand future shocks and help cement the UK’s position as a global competitor in advanced manufacturing.”
Taking advantage of better connectivity
With firms navigating rising costs and outdated infrastructure, connectivity solutions are also enabling British manufacturing firms to accelerate automation.
Speaking on this is, Jan Diekmann, Vertical Lead Manufacturing and Logistics at Ericsson Wireless Solutions who says: “Major advancements have been made in manufacturing in recent times driven by innovations such as industrial IoT that can continuously monitor equipment health, digital twins that enhance predictive maintenance and safety, and machine and process data being used to optimise supply chains. However, these technologies are placing significant strain on legacy networks, which often lack either the flexibility or in case of wireless networks like Wi-Fi, the high bandwidth, speed, and reliability needed to support them. Traditional infrastructure typically cannot keep up as production environments become more complex and demanding of real-time information and scalability.
“What’s more, UK manufacturers are grappling with challenging conditions such as labour shortages, high input costs, and global supply chain disruptions, putting further pressure on their productivity and output. As they deploy smart technologies to achieve their goals, they need reliable, high-speed connectivity to support real-time data and automation in demanding environments – a crucial foundation for the next wave of industrial change.
“This is where private 5G steps in as the foundation to turbocharging automation through reliable and secure connectivity. It provides the dependable, high bandwidth, and low latency required to unlock new possibilities for productivity and efficiency.”
Strengthening the supply-chain through the warehouse
The subsectors within manufacturing are vital components to keeping Britain’s production lines moving. Adrian Negotia, Chief Technology Officer at Dexory adds: “National Manufacturing Day was a chance to celebrate the vital role manufacturing plays in driving innovation across the UK, and to recognise the warehouse as the backbone of our supply chains.
“As the sector faces labour shortages and global economic challenges, warehouses have evolved from simple storage facilities to integral logistical lifelines. By adopting modern technology for inventory and operations management, manufacturers can build greater resilience across the industry.
“In today’s interconnected world, the warehouse has never been more essential to protecting supply chains and keeping Britain moving. Manufacturers that invest in and protect their warehouses will play a crucial role in safeguarding the UK against global uncertainty.”
Adapting to ever-growing pressures
Advanced semiconductor technology has also strengthened the supply chain, allowing firms to foster resilience in the face of consistent challenges to labour and growth. Shane Geary, Executive Vice President of Manufacturing and Operations at Pragmatic Semiconductor reflects on this: “As a country with strong industrial heritage and a track record of world-first innovation, the UK has a unique opportunity to lead globally in advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies, from semiconductors to quantum and photonics. But to seize the moment, manufacturers must tackle the considerable pressure to deliver faster, cheaper, and more sustainably, while managing global supply chain fragility.
“At Pragmatic Semiconductor, we’re meeting that challenge. We’re redefining what’s possible with FlexICs, our low-cost, low-carbon flexible chips that are shipped worldwide, but are designed and manufactured here in the UK.
“They’re produced at scale in days rather than weeks, with a fraction of the energy, water, and harmful chemicals used in traditional semiconductor production. And their flexible form factor, in combination with their low carbon footprint, means they can bring item-level intelligence where rigid chips simply can’t. From smart packaging and digital product passports, they’re powering the shift from the IoT to an AI-enabled Internet of Everything, across sectors as diverse as consumer, industrial, and healthcare.”
From skills to supply chain – securing the UK’s place on the global manufacturing stage
The message from industry is clear: for UK manufacturing to see stability and growth the need for innovation is imperative. The future of the sector will be defined by how well it harnesses technology, invests in skills, and builds resilient supply chains. By acting decisively now, UK manufacturers will be well placed to weather global volatility and cement its position globally.
