Driving efficiency, cost reduction, and quality improvement, automation is having a transformative impact across various industries.
The statistics back this up, with Automate UK’s 2025 Industry Insights report confirming the belief of 83% members in increased manufacturing sector automation.
Read on as we also highlight the vital role of automated technologies across logistics and pharmaceuticals here.
Discover the role of Automate UK members as innovators and early adopters.
Manufacturing – Driving Smart Factory Transformation
The manufacturing sector has been seen as leading the way in automation, especially across fields such as automotive, aerospace, and food processing.
The UK’s manufacturers have been among those adopting technologies such as advanced robotics for precision handling and material movement.
With the capacity for high-precision tasks such as welding and material handling, such robots minimise error rates, enhance safety, and boost output.
We’ve also seen increased use of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), with sensors and real-time data analytics for predictive analytics and operational improvement.
The use of such technologies has enabled the UK’s manufacturers to reduce downtime by up to 30% in 2025.
Other examples of manufacturing sector automation include:
Automate UK has continued to focus on such manufacturing sector innovations, with specific examples shared in the Machinery Update magazine.
For instance, the March/April 2025 edition highlighted OnRobot’s development of a new palletising cobot, capable of lifting payloads of up to 30kg and stacking up to 10 boxes per minute (page 12).
Developed with the intention of making automation accessible to the widest range of manufacturers, this palletising cobot has been recommended for “unmatched” affordability.
In another example, the May/June edition focused on the development of autofocus cameras, enabling the AI-powered checking of reflective automotive parts (page 22).
These autofocus cameras capture high-resolution images of aluminium vehicle components, with AI ensuring the identification of defects such as scratches, pores, and dirt.
The adoption of such technologies drives significant reductions in downtime, increased production speed, and greater product quality.
However, there’s clear scope for the benefits to be more widely realised by the UK’s manufacturers.
This is reflected in the UK government’s 2025 Technology Adoption Review, with just 8% of the surveyed manufacturers having successfully introduced AI and machine learning.
Faced with issues such as inflation, political uncertainty, and labour shortages, the UK’s manufacturers have also lagged in the adoption of robotics.
As Verity Dadge, Make UK’s Director of Policy, has said, “The adoption of automation and game changing technologies by manufacturers is rapidly accelerating and will provide vital pieces in completing the productivity puzzle.
But, there is still more to be done to match our competitors, especially among SMEs who face far greater hurdles in adopting digital technology.”
Logistics – Automation for Supply Chain Efficiency
Despite common issues, there’s also been progress in the adoption of automation within the logistics sector.
Driven by e-commerce growth, together with the demand for rapid and accurate order fulfillment, organisations have looked to advanced technologies.
There’s been an increase in the adoption of automated guided vehicles, robotic pickers, and automated sorting systems in warehouses and distribution centres.
Such automation has led to benefits such as enhanced throughput, reduced errors, and operational cost savings.
The scalability of these technologies has also allowed for the handling of peak demand and the management of complex logistics workflows.
Automate UK has again highlighted the innovation potential, with the May/June 2025 edition of Machinery Update focusing on Packline’s development of systems to facilitate manual handling operations (page 14).
Automatically checking to ensure that boxes are packed to the correct pre-determined weight, the Vac-Line Vacuum Lifter prevents packing errors and streamlines operations.
Packline’s new stainless steel Eurobin Lifter boosts precision across industrial environments with the elevation, rotation, and tipping of standard bins weighing up to 300kg too.
Again, there’s scope for wider adoption, with smart manufacturing technologies allowing for the development of seamless supply chains.
Pharmaceuticals – Automation Advancing Drug Development and Production
The technological transformation continues, with high-impact adoption in the pharmaceutical sector.
This can be seen in the use of automated drug filling and packaging lines for improved compliance and quality.
There’s also been a rise in the adoption of robotics for precision handling and AI for system monitoring.
Other benefits of pharmaceutical sector innovation include:
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Enhanced batch consistency
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Improved compliance with regulatory standards
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Reduced time-to-market
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Improved worker safety, given the reduced need for hazardous material handling.
Such benefits were covered in the November/December 2024 edition of Machinery Update, with a special feature on the pharmaceutical sector.
This highlighted the importance of such technologies in maintaining resilience against international competition, with improvements of efficiency, safety, hygiene, and precision.
Such benefits are being realised through the use of technologies, such as the accuracy-enhancing filling equipment offered by Karmelle (see page 43).
Technologies such as the flowmeter filler allow for greater flexibility based on demand, together with reductions in waste and the risk of product recalls.
There’s clear potential for automation making a difference in addressing workforce shortages, ensuring compliance with complex regulations, and meeting demand for personalised medicines.
The Future Potential of Automation
Given the varied benefits, it’s not surprising that companies across the manufacturing, logistics, and pharmaceutical sectors are looking to technological investment.
Such investments are being backed by the UK government, with a pledge of £4.5 billion from 2025 with the aim of driving growth and innovation across the strategic manufacturing sectors.
This will include the annual investment of £29 million as part of the “Made Smarter” programme to support SMEs in the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies.
Together with Innovate UK, the government has also committed to £5 million in grants to support automated innovation in the pharmaceuticals sector.
The importance of such investment is clear, as Søren Peters, Co-CEO and founder of HowToRobot, says:
“With persistent workforce shortages and growing costs, businesses are focusing on how their current employees can create more value through automation rather than trying to fill positions that consistently remain vacant or changing hands.
Many UK manufacturers are discovering significant untapped potential within their existing operations.
Our assessments frequently identify automation opportunities that can increase capacity substantially without expanding physical footprint or headcount.”
Such opportunities may only be realised through a commitment to workforce upskilling and the democratisation of technology.
Vital Support from Automate UK
As the leading trade association for automation suppliers as technology end users, Automate UK has a vital supporting role to play.
We aim to ensure wider innovation through valuable insights and access to the latest trends and technologies.
From the reduction of the skills shortage to the sharing of knowledge across sectors, we will strive to make automation technology the heart of a thriving UK economy.
Whether focused on manufacturing, logistics, or pharmaceuticals, there’s every reason to join Automate UK in empowering the automation industry.
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