CONTROL & AUTOMATION
2020: THE YEAR OF AUTOMATION
FANUC
A PIVOTAL YEAR FOR UK MANUFACTURING
As 2020 begins, attention inevitably turns
towards what lies ahead in the year. Tom
Bouchier, Managing Director at FANUC UK,
reflects on the state of automation over the
last 12 months, and looks forward to what
could be a pivotal year for UK manufacturing.
A report published by the Business, Energy
and Industrial Strategy Committee (BEIS) in
September highlighted the disadvantageous
position of UK automation. Falling behind its
G7 counterparts in terms of robot density,
Britain will struggle to keep pace with the
productivity of international competitors if
action is not taken.
If UK manufacturing is to realise its potential,
it must overcome its apparent reluctance to
automate. There is undoubtedly a superb base
of technology and research in British industry,
which, providing it can overcome the current
barriers to automation, provides a fantastic
platform for economic growth and prosperity.
However, barriers remain, and the UK must
work together to move industry forward.
ADDRESS MISCONCEPTIONS
The biggest challenge we face as a nation
is to generate awareness around the
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PECM Issue 42
benefits that robots and automation can
bring to businesses. There are a number of
misconceptions that must be addressed,
which are ingrained into our society for
various reasons.
One of the most damaging beliefs is that
automation is expensive. This is particular
prevalent amongst those that need it most,
specifically SMEs that are ready to expand
their business but perhaps feel they do not
have the capital to do so. The fact is that
automation is not out of the financial reach of
many UK manufacturers, and the economic
gains of introducing robots into a production
line more than offsets any upfront cost.