Automation leaders address manufacturing challenges

Over 600 visitors converged at the annual FANUC UK Open House event in Ansty Park, Coventry between 2 and 4 November 2022 as the industrial automation community sought to address some of the key challenges and opportunities facing manufacturers today. The event showcased the numerous ways in which automation can support UK manufacturers to combat the ongoing labour crisis, raise productivity levels and increase our competitive edge in a global marketplace.

In his opening address, FANUC UK’s Managing Director, Tom Bouchier, was clear in his assessment of the UK’s standing among other leading manufacturing countries. “The UK is the ninth largest manufacturing nation, with a world class manufacturing industry and a world class workforce,” he stated. “But when it comes to robot density, we are the only G7 country that sits below the global average. A German worker is around 30% more productive an hour than we are, because of their increased use of automation. Let’s keep the UK at the forefront of the manufacturing revolution and raise our productivity by increasing the uptake of automation.”