Global research report from Rockwell Automation highlights
how artificial intelligence is being deployed to give the workforce
superpowers and build resiliency in operations.
MILTON KEYNES, England,
March 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --
Rockwell Automation Inc., the world's largest company dedicated to
industrial automation and digital transformation, today announced
the results of the 9th annual "State of Smart Manufacturing
Report," offering valuable insights into trends, challenges, and
plans for global manufacturers. The study surveyed more than 1,500
respondents from 17 countries, including the United Kingdom (UK), France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
Among many findings, three major trends emerge from this report:
the AI revolution is here for manufacturing, technology is being
deployed to give the workforce superpowers, and building resiliency
in operations is growing in importance.
"The world has changed, and manufacturing has changed with it,
but there is more to do," said Asa
Arvidsson, regional vice president sales, north region,
Rockwell Automation. "Talent continues to be elusive globally. As
manufacturers continue to seek opportunities for profitable growth,
they are finding that uncertainty in workforce availability is
impacting quality and their ability to meet their customers' needs
and transform at pace.
"The clear message from this report is that manufacturers view
technology as an advantage for improving quality, agility, and
innovation, and for attracting the next generation of talent.
Manufacturers expect to mitigate risk through technology tied to
process and people, build resiliency, and drive future
success."
Key UK findings include:
- AI ranks as the top capability that manufacturers believe will
drive the biggest business outcomes. 79% of UK manufacturers expect
to use generative AI (GenAI) in their operations in 2024.
- 94% of UK manufacturers expect to use AI and ML in advanced
analytics compared to 91% globally, the highest percentage of any
country surveyed.
- A lack of skill set is the most significant barrier to
implementing smart manufacturing technologies in the UK, at 33% -
the highest percentage of all European countries surveyed.
- 25% of UK manufacturers believe that they lack the skilled
workforce to outpace the competition over the next 12 months,
significantly lower than Germany's
41% and France's 40%.
- Across Europe, companies
reported a 30% increase in technology spending year-over-year. In
the UK, 73% of companies spend between 21% and 50% of their
operating budget on technology investment, the highest level in
Europe.
- 34% of companies in the UK believe that management in leading
companies use of data to develop better AI and ML applications.
Other key answers were cybersecurity (32%), energy management,
sustainability tracking, and predictive maintenance, all at
31%.
- Cybersecurity is third on the list of external challenges
companies in the UK face, with 28% of companies citing it as a
problem.
The AI revolution is here
According to this year's survey, automation and optimization
through artificial intelligence (AI) and machine
learning (ML) are the main reasons for smart
manufacturing investments within the UK. In the survey,
88% of responding companies in the UK said they have invested,
or plan to invest in the next 12 months, in AI and ML. This is
above the European figure of 84% and highest among all the European
countries surveyed, matching the United
States. When companies deploy the technology, there are four
standout applications: quality control (38%), cybersecurity (37%),
logistics (34%), and customer service (32%).
Empowering and super-charging people
In any digital transformation, employees risk being the
forgotten factor. According to the survey, manufacturers are
investing in people and technology to advance. Rather than having
AI replace roles, organizations are looking to use AI to tackle
roles they are struggling to fill today. To address the
manufacturing industry's labor shortage and skills gap, 38% of
companies in the UK are spreading the net in their search for
talent by leveraging remote work to access a wider talent pool for
remote-capable jobs.
Building resiliency in operations and processes
Quality remains a top priority for companies in the UK, which
ranked it first at 42%. While Europe also listed cost and efficiency, along
with quality, in their top three, the UK went in a different
direction. Its top priorities behind quality were improving the
company's financial position and improving decision-making with
data, both at 35%.
"The findings of this year's State of Smart Manufacturing Report
underscore a pivotal moment for the industry, as UK manufacturers
lead the charge in integrating AI and machine learning
technologies," Arvidsson concludes. "This strategic embrace is not
merely about technological adoption but signifies a broader
transformation towards smarter, more resilient manufacturing
ecosystems. By leveraging AI to enhance data-driven decision-making
and operational efficiency, UK manufacturers are setting new
benchmarks for innovation and competitiveness on the global
stage."
The full findings of the report can be found here.
Methodology
This report analyzed feedback from 1,567 respondents from 17 of
the top manufacturing countries with roles from management up to
the C-suite and was conducted in association with Sapio Research
and Plex Systems. The survey covered discrete, process, and hybrid
industries across a balanced distribution of company sizes, with
revenues spanning $10 million to over
$10 billion, providing a wide breadth
of manufacturing business perspectives.
About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK) is a global leader in
industrial automation and digital transformation. We connect the
imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand
what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more
sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 29,000
problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100
countries. To learn more about how we are bringing the Connected
Enterprise to life across industrial enterprises,
visit www.rockwellautomation.com.
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