44% of industrial manufacturers in the UK state talent shortage is delaying their smart manufacturing strategy, Cognizant and Microsoft study finds.
Yet 93% of industrial manufacturers have a clear smart manufacturing strategy in place
- 32% of UK manufacturing executives claim that improving employee safety is the core reason behind their decision to introduce smart initiatives
- 44% respondents said that shortage of experienced talent is a major barrier to further developing their smart manufacturing plans
- 9 in 10 industrial manufacturers believe cloud computing is critical for a successful smart manufacturing strategy, but only 28% believe they have reached the limit of the technology
Cognizant, in partnership with Microsoft, has released the findings of new research into the uptake of smart manufacturing in the UK. The study identified four key trends which are driving the adoption of smart manufacturing technologies within industrial manufacturing and examines the challenges and opportunities organisations feel are ahead of them.
Putting employee safety first
Improving safety also correlates with enhanced productivity as robots and automation take on more risky tasks and help employees work faster. It’s therefore no surprise 88% of respondents report it has become a larger priority for their organisation in the last five years. This trend will continue into the future: 32% of executives surveyed (rising to 35% when it comes to the largest organisations)claim that improving employee safety is the main reason behind their decision to introduce smart initiatives.
Sustainability at the very core
COP28 set a resolution to triple renewable energy and double energy efficiency by 2030. Fortunately, manufacturers in the UK are acting on these requirements with 88% acting on their sustainability goals, and 87% stating that sustainability is business critical for their organisation. Key to meeting these targets are intelligent products, and the data they generate, which help manufacturers understand the impact each phase of the manufacturing process has on their carbon footprint and where they can take action to reduce it. Another technology which is helping manufacturers meet sustainability goals is the use of digital twins, which enables teams to test scenarios, such as process or design variations, virtually without needing to switch-on the original machine.
Powered by the cloud
Despite 91% of British industrial manufacturers stating cloud computing is critical for a successful smart manufacturing strategy, only 28% believe they have reached the limit of the technology. Clearly, there is scope to do more. Unlocking the value of real-time insights, adaptability and efficiency, relies on the seamless collection, storage and analysis of real-time smart manufacturing data. This ability to make data-driven decisions, respond to changing demands, and augment factories with emerging tools and technologies depends on the effective implementation of cloud to prevent excessive costs and poor outcomes.
Current skill shortages are a roadblock
44% respondents said that a lack of experienced talent is a major barrier to further developing their smart manufacturing plans. Fortunately, research by UCAS has found the amount of university students in STEM degrees is the highest ever, meaning these shortages won’t last long. In the meantime, however, one way to overcome the skills gap for smart manufacturers is to partner with companies that do have the necessary expertise.
“Our research shows much optimism among industrial manufacturers, who are well on the way to implementing smart manufacturing processes that drive sustainability and improve safety.” stated Prasanth Thomas, Head of UKI Consulting for Manufacturing, Logistics, Energy & Utilities at Cognizant.
“Ultimately this marks an exciting new era for manufacturers who, with the right foundations in place, can potentially drive innovation on a much greater scale. Although organisations clearly see the benefits of smart manufacturing, implementation is complex. Yet organisations with clear strategies, and the right partners to support their plans, have a vital opportunity to leverage smart manufacturing technologies and optimise their operations, improve productivity, drive innovation, and open up new streams of valuable data. This will drive the growth, improve customer experience and put industrial manufacturers in a stronger position to adapt in a rapidly changing world”.
The report ‘From sustainability to safety What’s driving Smart Manufacturing?’ is available to download here.
