Automation - both process control and robotics - offer manufacturers a raft of benefits including an increase in productivity, improved precision, consistency and quality, as well as opportunities to reduce operational costs by allowing machines to take on the burden of repetitive, low-value and sometimes dangerous work.
It has been a keen focus of investment for manufacturers accessing grant funding through Madew Smarter, with 25% of technology projects focussing on using technology to replace manual methods of making things.
For the last six years Made Smarter has been on a mission to demystify such a transformative technology.
We have also cultivated strong partnerships with demonstrators to show, not just tell what you can achieve with automation and robotics.
NERIC, part of the University of Salford, is a new state-of-the-art facility, commissioned to illuminate just what is possible for manufacturing SMEs through automation.
The £16 million centre consists of three laboratories of robotic equipment, showcasing how robotics and automation can address real-world business problems.
NERIC collaborates with industry to give access to specialist equipment and academic expertise to help design, test, validate and de-risk innovation and investments.
Tabs Khojani, Business Development Manager, said: “NERIC has established itself as a key collaborator in Greater Manchester’s business ecosystem, with strong connections across many business support opportunities and can help signpost towards new funding and grant opportunities.
“The benefits of adopting robotics and automation in the manufacturing sector are clear. Automation can help to address skills shortages, improve quality and efficiency, increase productivity, and gain a competitive advantage. However, the roadmap to automation is often less clear; this is where NERIC steps in. The expert team takes a consultative approach to diagnose the needs of every business they partner with. Every project delivered is valuable, of high quality and has a measurable impact.”
Working with NERIC, Made Smarter is on a mission to encourage more manufacturers to explore the benefits of robotics.
UK manufacturers have been slow to adopt the technology. According to the International Federation of Robotics, the UK’s use of robotics in 2022 was below the global average and significantly lower than that of China, South Korea and Germany.
But the positive news is that robotics adoption in the UK has risen by 50% over the last five years, and is likely to accelerate. Persistently high job vacancies are forcing manufacturing leaders to look to technology to solve their productivity problem. Add to the mix the reduction in cost and massive tax incentives such as the ‘super-deduction’ - enabling companies to claim 130% capital allowance on qualifying plant and machinery investments - and robotics is now much more accessible to SMEs.
Made Smarter has helped several manufacturers adopt robotics including GB Engineering, Bloom-in-Box, Storth and JCM Fine Joinery.
There are a wealth of robotics solutions available, which makes choosing one a tricky task. Made Smarter can help define problems and find the right solution to suit. Our advisor’s team can then help you access grant funding as well as provide ongoing help and support.
To learn more about automation and read about more case studies visit our expert blog.