Shifts in the manufacturing sector are set to move at pace as we head toward the end of 2026 and into 2027, as we see an increase in manufacturing confidence and investment.
Tackling ongoing sector challenges, manufacturing is adapting and in response developing sustainable plans to drive resilience and sustain competitiveness on a global level.
With the Q3 report now released from MAKE UK highlighting the continued challenges relating to operational costs and skills shortages, among others, manufacturers are now using this sustainable drive alongside investment in digital transformation and implementation of energy management strategies to future-proof the sector and build operational resilience.
Looking To the Future
Highlights from the MAKE UK quarter 3 report include:
- Manufacturers are looking to increase their investment
- Business confidence has improved for the first time since 2025
- Performance and growth are set to rise
- UK orders are set to rise
- Margins, however, remain relatively unchanged.
Improvements to productivity remain key to how manufacturers will continue successful operations throughout the remainder of 2026 and 2027.
Sustainable Planning
We understand that there are ongoing discussions and demand for the manufacturing sector to be modernised. To use advanced technologies and sustainable practices to build resilience and alleviate the pressure to do more with less.
We also know that the most productive way to ensure survival and growth is to plan for the future through investment in automation and sustainability.
Plan for:
Reducing long-term risk – look at areas where you currently see the largest reported errors, where are there bottlenecks in production affecting agility, and what data could help improve efficiencies across the production line?
Supporting skills shortages – where investment in digital allows for upskilling of workforces as repetitive jobs are carried out by robotics and automated solutions.
Meeting ongoing changes to compliance and regulations – with real insight and data, manufacturers can achieve better decision-making around compliance, and a reduction of waste and errors on the production line.
Rising energy costs – invest in software and systems that provide real-time data in order to reduce waste, improve stock management, and support machine maintenance.
Developing a Sustainable Manufacturing Strategy
Developing a sustainable manufacturing strategy involves taking a long-term view of the business and the sector. What is it that you want to achieve, and what do you need to achieve in order to grow?
As we focus more on integrated systems and the development of smart factories, we understand that manufacturing success is not solely based on individual machines and the latest technology adoption, but rather success is defined by using real-time production data to provide greater visibility to improve efficiency, quality, and resilience.
Sustainable planning should focus on:
IoT – implementing IoT sensors and software allows data to be collected, shared, and automated responses to be put in place. Saving time and resources, ensuring continuous improvements, and meeting high-quality standards, consistency, and production deadlines, data-driven transparency is key to supporting more robust and resilient manufacturing practices.
Predictive maintenance – identify inefficiencies across production and machinery before they become costly failures. Predictive maintenance optimises machine performance and reduces unplanned downtime to improve productivity as well as expand the lifespan of equipment.
Digital Twins – the development of virtual simulations, also known as digital twins, provides manufacturers with the opportunity to create live replicas of physical machinery and processes to test processes, reduce energy consumption, and cut costs by approximately 15%.
Automation – what tasks are repetitive, time-consuming, physically demanding, and compromise safety, and how could these tasks be automated to alleviate risks, increase precision, reduce errors, and improve productivity? Consider robotics, automated material handling, and machine vision.
Energy-efficient machinery – helping to improve process control, support waste reduction, and improve the efficient use of raw materials, automation can help to monitor energy consumption by controlling processes more accurately and identifying waste across entire production lines.
Employees – ensure you engage with employees when planning for future and long-term goals. Highlight investments in training and development and also communicate automation and digitalisation showing how these investments will support skills shortages, improve worker safety, and offer opportunities for personal development.
Investing in this level of digital data insight allows manufacturers to respond better to changing regulations, customer and staff expectations, and resource constraints.
Sustainable Thinking is Driving Long-Term Success
Automation can help to protect people and business; however, only if you have clearly defined your needs and are addressing your long-term goals and objectives.
Finding the automation solution that works for you is key.
At Innomech, our focus is on designing, building, and integrating bespoke automation solutions that bring technology, people, and sustainable practices together.
Manufacturers today must be better equipped to remain competitive and resilient – you need a sustainable strategy to future-proof your business.
Talk to our team about long-term automation planning at a time that is convenient to you.
