Britain’s manufacturers are accelerating their investment in digital technologies as the fourth industrial revolution gathers pace, driving increased productivity, creating greater demand for higher-level skills, and improving their energy efficiency.
The global pandemic and the massive disruption to supply chains, as well as the UK’s exit from the EU, are just some of the external drivers that have swayed larger cohorts of manufacturers to adapt their processes and digitalise their systems.
The current financial challenges and the increasing cost of energy are likely to drive this adoption further, with the survey showing that manufacturers intend to increase their investment in digital technologies in the next two years.
As a result, more companies are moving to the ‘evolution’ stage of digital adoption, which is where they are implementing changes to their processes, marketing, product design, manufacturing systems and finance.
Manufacturers are undergoing a profound digital transformation with the potential to transform productivity, resilience, and sustainability. The investments companies are making will play a key role in the future of manufacturing, powering them through the challenges that lie ahead with greater productivity, better skill levels and reduced emissions. The action now is for manufacturers to unlock their potential on digital adoption, which will be key if we want to invest and grow.
Nina Gryf
Senior Policy Manager, Make UK
It's encouraging to learn that those who have invested in digital technologies, report that their investments have paid off and they felt better prepared to weather the storms. Looking forward, as smart products, automation and robotics are increasingly adopted, the data and insights these technologies drive out will yield yet further benefits for manufacturers who have put the digital foundations in place.
Andrew Kinder
Senior Vice President, Industry Strategy, Infor
