Automate UK: Pioneering the Future of Automation

As our members will be aware, the decision to rebrand the PPMA (Processing & Packaging Machinery Association) Group of Associations was announced in December 2023. This brought the group of associations under the Automate UK banner, with the shared focus of better representing our member’s needs and those of their customers in the rapidly evolving manufacturing landscape.

While the three highly successful associations - PPMA, BARA and UKIVA - will continue to operate, this means that they will come under the Automate UK umbrella moving forwards. It’s an exciting time as the association matures and widens its range of services for members and their customers. It follows the publication of the Manifesto for Automation, which set out the organisation’s aims of becoming facilitators for change and increasing the productivity of UK PLC.

Read on to find out more about the evolution process, its importance, and the implications for the industry and Automate UK members.

How we are evolving

With a heritage that stretches back to 1987, Automate UK supports and represents an ever-widening range of automation equipment and services. As the rapid evolution of technology and manufacturing continues, leaders of the three founding organisations agree that now is the time to widen the overall offering for our members and their customers.

Automate UK’s CEO Peter Williamson said, “This is way more than just a name change. It is a fundamental shift in how our three trade associations can impact the manufacturing arena in a positive and meaningful way. 

By driving industry progress, supporting growth of our members and helping users make more informed technology decisions, we are the go-to partner to help members and their clients thrive.” He went on to say that the organisation would be looking to “increase productivity through investments in automation, in the increasingly competitive marketplace.”

Automate UK is committed to driving technological progress in the following ways:

• Driving the progress and adoption of automation technologies
• Identifying future talent and supporting the upskilling of existing employees to minimise the impact of skills and labour shortages
• Supporting the growth of our member companies
• Helping our members and their end users to make better technology decisions.

We support the growth of our member companies with these opportunities:

• Networking
• World class exhibitions
• Magazine promotions
• Subsidies
• Training
• Export Support
• Expert Support Services
• Technical Support.

Aiming to push the industry forwards, Automate UK will continue to inspire, support and promote the innovations of our member companies. We will build collaborations with industry partners and make investments in research and development. Our world-leading knowledge and expertise will continue to be shared in focused training programs and workshops.

Why is this important - and why now?

From smart packaging technologies to manufacturing robotics, there have been a variety of impactful innovations over recent years. 31% of businesses have automated at least one function, with 76% using automation for the standardising of everyday workflows. Such practices will become increasingly common, as companies realise benefits in terms of efficiency, money-saving and much else besides. Those that don’t want to be left behind should be looking at the possibilities of automation now.

Having spent many years honing our knowledge and technical expertise, Automate UK leads the way in this tech-focused world. With access to and influence in the right circles, we are able to present the case and push for the wider adoption of automation across the UK. We want to see an industrial strategy with automation at its heart, with greater opportunities for STEM learning, government-backed finance, and incentives for innovation.

As Peter Williamson emphasised, “we want a call to action on automation. Along with our members and their customers, the Government has a key role to play in this. As an organisation, we are committed to making Automate UK do exactly what it says on the tin.”

What this means for the industry and our members

While our vision has immense scope, there are challenges to be overcome if we are to see the broad industry development and adoption of automation technologies. However, we are committed to actively overcoming such issues. In so doing we will support the growth of forward-thinking businesses, creating jobs for the next generation of tech talent and enabling economic growth.

Continuing the work of our founding organisations, we will support the manufacturing sector with grants and training through the PPMA BEST charity. Our chief technical officer will lead the way in the discussion of opportunities, challenges, regulations and more. We will share up-to-date knowledge and expertise through the delivery of in-house and on-line training, together with our widely respected trade publications. We are also excited to offer an outstanding line-up of events, including Automation UK and the co-loated Machine Vision Conference as well as the PPMA Show for 2024.

Shaping the Future Together

From innovation-focused funding to digital training, Automate UK is set to play a key role in shaping the future of automation for the industry and our members. Active engagement is essential if you are to make the most of our resources and expertise for the best chance of thriving in the ever-changing automation landscape. Join us for opportunities to collaborate and stay at the forefront of the industry. Engage with the automation community, sharing your success stories and Automate UK membership experiences.

Take inspiration find out more about our associations and get set for growth with our expert resources, webinars and industry events.