Automation inspiration

Can UK manufacturing learn from Europe to up its robotics game? Dr Bob Struijk of FANUC Europe makes the case.

Despite punching well above its weight as a manufacturing powerhouse, the UK is in danger of slipping down the international rankings unless it increases its levels of automation. 

Robotics and automation technology use in manufacturing can help the UK to meet net-zero targets, boost productivity and underpin key industries. And with an estimated 70,000 vacancies in manufacturing, robots are also alleviating the longstanding labour shortages that have only worsened since Brexit and COVID-19. 

But the UK is 25th in the global robotics league table, according to the World Robotics Industrial Report 2023. It is the only G7 nation outside the top 20 and has been eclipsed by its European counterparts. 

Led by the automotive sector, UK robot installations were up by 3% in 2022, with operational stock growing by 7%. But at just 98 robots per 10,000 workers, the UK is still well behind European leaders Germany at 415 robots per 10,000 workers. 

The UK are lagging behind due to a focus on short-term payback rather than longer-term total cost of ownership (TCO); a fear of change; outdated perceptions of engineering as a career; lack of government incentives; our reliance on cheap manual labour; and no long-term national manufacturing strategy. 

While some of these are beginning to change – the UK Government recently announced a £4.5bln package of support for British manufacturing – what can we learn from our continental cousins?

Germany owes a large part of its success to a profound respect for engineering and manufacturing. The German model emphasises meticulous craftsmanship of products, fostering a culture that places a premium on precision and innovation. Catapulted by the automotive industry, robotics and automation have been at the forefront of bringing Germany to its current position as a manufacturing leader.

In addition, bridging the gap between industry and academia has contributed to a continuous cycle of research, development and implementation, creating an ecosystem that thrives on technological advancement. The German apprenticeship system also provides a seamless flow of skilled labour into industry, at low cost. 

The UK can learn from this by cultivating a similar synergy between its educational institutions and industrial sector to breed a culture of continuous improvement.

FANUC UK’s Training Academy at its Coventry HQ offers accredited courses that feed into educational programmes, giving students hands-on robotics experience. It recently held its first ever work experience week for young people aged 16-18, and played host to the finals of the WorldSkills UK Industrial Robotics competition last year.

At sixth place in the global automation league table, Sweden boasts an impressive 343 robots for every 10,000 workers. Neighbours Denmark have 274, Finland has 168 and Norway has 103 – all sit higher than the UK.

With their realistic approach towards return on investment (ROI), the Nordic countries have also successfully integrated automation into their industries. By looking at TCO rather than just ROI – considering indirect cost savings such as reduced energy bills, less waste, higher productivity and increased production capacity – investing in automation could be a far more attractive proposition to UK manufacturers than it is today. 

However, for a nation built on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), UK Government support is critical to future success. The penetration of robotics and automation in the UK is especially low among SMEs. Government tax breaks or accelerated depreciation of robots could certainly help to change this.

In the Nordic countries, robust government initiatives have provided financial support and created favourable conditions for the adoption of automated solutions. For example, in the city of Odense, Denmark, the government has stimulated the set-up of a ‘Robot Valley’ – a cluster of private companies, start-ups and academic institutions that is helping to drive the Danish robotics market forward.

Finally, Eastern European countries such as Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic have embraced automation as a means of prioritising worker welfare. By automating dull, dirty and dangerous tasks, these nations have increased their manufacturing efficiency and enhanced workforce wellbeing.

They have benefitted from their close proximity to the German automotive market, and used skilled labour and investment in robots to take a large share of the tier 1 market, as well as a host of greenfield investments by major European and Asian automakers. The UK could benefit by adopting a similar mindset.

There is no doubt that manufacturing is already one of the UK’s greatest success stories. By investing in automation and robotics, UK manufacturers can future-proof their businesses and continue to compete on the international stage.