Unveiling the Enablers of Industrial Digital Technologies in UK Manufacturing
Use of Industrial Digital Technologies (IDTs) such as robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and immersive technologies (AR/VR) has long been seen as key to boosting productivity, efficiency, and global competitiveness in manufacturing. Yet, the UK has lagged behind leading nations like Germany, Japan, and the United States. This blog post explores the crucial role of enablers in this transformation and how a shift in perspective could help UK manufacturers harness the full potential of digitalisation.
Despite the potential benefits, digitalisation in UK manufacturing remains uneven. According to a 2020 survey by MakeUK, only 9% of respondents believed that the UK leads in digitalisation compared to other nations. This is reflected in the low adoption rates of technologies like cloud computing and robotics. For example, only 38% of UK firms use cloud computing, compared to 65% in Finland. Similarly, as of 2022-23, the UK has an average of 0.61 robots per manufacturer (138,000 manufacturers), the country lags behind China, which averages 2.54 robots per manufacturer (441,517), revealing a notable gap in automation adoption.
The UK government has launched initiatives like the UK Digital Strategy and Made Smarter Innovation to address these gaps. These programs aim to promote digital adoption across the manufacturing sector, but the results so far have been mixed. While there has been some progress—such as a 7% increase in companies adopting digital technologies between 2018 and 2020—there is still a long way to go.
One such initiative of the UK government is the establishment of the Made Smarter Innovation: Centre for People-Led Digitalisation (PLD). A study conducted within the Centre, involved decision-makers from the UK manufacturing sector who have been actively engaged in implementing IDTs within their organisations. Rather than focusing solely on the factors predominantly considered as obstacles, the research sought to determine whether barriers could also be perceived as enablers of digital transformation.
Traditionally, factors like operational (cost, flexibility in production, quality assurance), technological (off-the shelf technologies, available infrastructure, integration), people (availability of skilled human resource, training and development programs, readiness), management (leadership support, organisation strategic vision, awareness about new technologies) and external (government support, competitive pressure) have been viewed as barriers that impede progress. However, results illuminate different perspective on the matter. Many participants identified these factors not as obstacles but as enablers. For example, operational costs, often perceived as a hindrance, was recognised as a crucial enabler when managed effectively. In addition to this, investing in digital technologies can result in significant long-term cost savings, turning what was once seen as a hurdle into a compelling reason for adoption. Likewise, even if the current technological infrastructure seems insufficient, it can act as a catalyst for driving the development of a more sophisticated digital ecosystem.
The Role of Government Policies and External Support
Government policies and external advisory systems play a vital role in enabling digital transformation. Despite significant investments by the UK government to bolster the manufacturing sector, there is a consensus that more needs to be done to translate these efforts into tangible support for manufacturers. Many in the industry feel that current policies and incentives fall short of effectively facilitating their digital transformation journeys, often perceiving them as barriers rather than enablers. This concern is widely reflected in industry reports, which advocate for a more comprehensive national strategy and the development of robust support systems to better meet the needs of manufacturers in this digital era.
Reframing Challenges as Opportunities
In conclusion, while the UK manufacturing sector has made strides in adopting Industrial Digital Technologies (IDTs), significant challenges remain. The potential for digitalisation to enhance productivity and global competitiveness is clear, but its uneven implementation highlights the need for a shift in perspective. Reframing traditionally perceived barriers as potential enablers, can motivate organisations to leverage their existing resources and capabilities, driving successful implementation and fostering competitiveness through technologies. Although, UK government has undertaken initiatives such as the UK Industrial Strategy, Made Smarter Innovation (2017), and Innovate UK materials and manufacturing vision 2050, among others, to promote digitalisation in the region, challenges persist. To further support this digital transformation, a stronger alignment between government policies and the practical needs of manufacturers is essential. With the right approach, the UK can bridge the gap and fully harness the benefits of digitalisation in manufacturing.
Author’s profile
Dr Muhammad Basir is a Research Associate with the Made Smarter Innovation – Centre for People-Led Digitalisation. Basir’s research interests lie in investigating the challenges and enablers of implementing in new technologies.
If you would like further information on this research please email: p-ld@bath.ac.uk
