The Rise of Robotics in UK Manufacturing: A 2024 Perspective

There has been a great acceleration in the development and adoption of robots across industries such as vehicle manufacturing, electronics, and food over recent years. This trend was confirmed by an International Federation of Robotics (IFR) report, which revealed that sales of industrial robots reached a new peak in 2023, with 3,083 units installed.

In this article, we’ll look at the factors behind this growth, focusing particularly on how automation is transforming the industry. Discover how BARA (British Automation & Robot Association) supports companies in integrating robotics into their operations, ensuring competitiveness in rapidly evolving markets.

Growth of Robotics in Manufacturing

The new record for UK robot installations marked a year-on-year rise of 51% according to the IFR. This growth was driven largely by the automotive sector, where the number of installations increased by 297% to 1,924 units in 2023. However, there was also significant growth across the food and metal sectors.

“The UK manufacturing industry has invested heavily in the installation of robotics in 2023. A major tax break for investment in plant and machinery expired after the first quarter of 2023. This so-called ‘super deduction’ has reportedly boosted investment”, IFR President, Marina Bill, commented.

In 2023, the UK manufacturing sector saw the continuation of an established growth trend, with 111 robots for every 10,000 employees —a 56% increase from the 71 robots recorded in  2015. This growth trend is set to go on, with 63% of manufacturers planning capital investments in robotics over the next 24 months.

The closure of the “super deduction” is bound to have had some impact. However, investment levels are expected to rise again through 2025 and beyond as companies pursue greater efficiency and precision. An annual growth rate of 4.43% is forecast through  2029, with Statista, a leading data analytics platform, estimating the robotics market will be valued at US$277.50m.

Economic Impacts

Whether adopted for the assembly of vehicle components or picking and placing food and beverage products, robots offer significant benefits. Indeed, a McKinsey report suggests that robots could boost automotive sector productivity by up to 15% by 2028.

Such improvements could be realised across other industries too, with the UK Government’s Made Smarter report identifying that adopting industry 4.0 technologies could be worth over £450bn to the UK economy over the next decade and robotic integration may contribute as much as £180bn. Such advancements would greatly enhance the ability of UK businesses to compete in international markets.

Other benefits of robot integration include:

• Enhanced product quality, as robots perform manufacturing tasks with much higher levels of precision and repeatability than humans
• Reduced wastage, ensuring consistent product quality
• Increased employee satisfaction and retention, given the reduced need for manual work in dull, dirty, and dangerous environments
• Cost minimisation, with the Robotics Industry Association (RIA) reporting that companies adopting robotics see an average of  20% reduction in production costs within the first two years.

Naturally, there are challenges to be overcome in ensuring the realisation of robot-powered benefits across the UK. There’s an obvious need for high-quality integrators and skilled manufacturing staff with the expertise to maximise the potential of new technologies. Other requirements include greater funding and education to promote the safe and effective use of robotic systems.

BARA’s Support

As part of Automate UK, BARA (British Automation and Robot Association) is committed to addressing such challenges and ensuring the beneficial adoption of Industrial Robots and Automation in British Industry. This extends to advocacy in dealings with the government, industry, financial and academic institutions.

BARA achieves these goals through the organisation of educational events, with participation in exhibitions and seminars where the word can be spread. They also provide essential resources, including best practices, case studies and networking opportunities to support successful robot integration.

Other forms of BARA support include:

• How to guides
• Access to independent consultants
• Certification of systems integrators, separating the best from the rest.

For further information, we encourage you to explore the range of BARA resources available on the Automate UK website. Alternatively, you’re invited to get in touch with BARA directly and explore how robotics can enhance your manufacturing processes. Because, together we’ll be more powerful than ever.