Let’s Talk: Advanced manufacturing
‘Seizing the moment’
Traditional manufacturing has been in decline in the UK for a while now. In the sector as a whole, employment levels have fallen for three years in a row, while factory output is expected to shrink by 0.6% this year. We hear from Michael Holmes, CEO of Alloyed how advanced manufacturing can make the UK an industrial powerhouse again
These figures are particularly disappointing given manufacturing is one sector where Britain was once world-leading. Indeed, last year was the first time since the industrial revolution that the UK fell out of the top ten list of manufacturing nations. All is not lost, however. While global demand may have evolved beyond the UK’s industrial roots and manufacturing now accounts for a smaller percentage of the UK economy than 30 years ago, there are other areas which have remained more consistent.
The UK still has a reputation for academic and research excellence. And it had a highly skilled workforce of science and engineering graduates. The door on traditional manufacturing might be closing. But in advanced manufacturing, another door of high growth potential is opening. The opportunity Advanced manufacturing is already reshaping the global economic landscape. From AI-powered design to digital twins and smart factories, global
Machinery & Manufacturing 20
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