The PPMA Panel, BARA and UKIVA become Automate UK Processing & Packaging Committee, Automate UK Robotics Council and Automate UK Vision Committee as association continues to unify the manufacturing sector

20 October 2026

Automate UK has announced the evolution of established trade associations the PPMA Panel, BARA and UKIVA into core facets of the organisation as it continues its pioneering work throughout the manufacturing industry.

The PPMA Panel, the British Automation and Robot Association (BARA) and the UK Industrial Vision Association (UKIVA) will be renamed the Automate UK Processing and Packaging Committee, Automate UK Robotics Council and Automate UK Vision Committee respectively, bringing each of the organisations under the unified Automate UK identity.

The new names reflect the closer alignment under the single association Automate UK, streamlining how members, manufacturers and end-users engage with the organisations representing robotics, automation and machine vision technologies in the UK.

Their role is to provide a strong voice within the processing and packaging, robotics, automation and industrial vision sectors and to ensure that voice is clearly heard.

Dan Thombs, CEO of Automate UK, said: “The decision to unify these bodies within the Automate UK fold coincides with BARA's 50th anniversary, marking half a century of representing the UK's robotics and automation sector.

“We remain committed to uniting our core membership in processing and packaging with a whole spectrum of industries across the machine vision, automation, manufacturing and robotics sectors via our exhibitions, events, collaborations and government initiatives, and are currently looking at developing the Automate UK Robotics conference and Automate UK Vision conference to strengthen our links within both sectors.”

Rosie Davies, Chair of Automate UK Robotics Council stated: “We believe that this is a positive move to create a collective to support the entire manufacturing spectrum.”

Simon Hickman, Chair of Automate UK Vision Committee said: “The intention is that by uniting to present one strategic voice for the industry, we will bring manufacturers closer to the automation community and giving them a stronger voice in industry discussions.”

Greg Przybylik-Harper, Chair of Automate UK Processing & Packaging Committee added: “By creating one unified presence, we aim to make a difference to everyone working across all the industries we support in order to help shape the future direction of UK manufacturing.”

All three bodies will continue to represent their respective sectors, providing standards, guidance, training, industry representation and opportunities for growth.