Articles and thought leadership pieces published in journals and in the media on taking digital transformation beyond the buzzwords by Nick Leeder
As we build up to Christmas, most factories are not winding down. They are flat out. You are pushing hard to get orders out of the door, lining up maintenance windows, juggling last-minute changes in demand and trying to hold everything together so you can switch the lights off for a few days. It is …
Read more “The future of advanced manufacturing: three ingredients from WEF’s latest reports”
It’s not every week the UK Government issues a sweeping 10-year plan to transform our economic future, and puts manufacturing at the heart of it. But with the release of the UK Industrial Strategy 2025 and the accompanying Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, this week marks a significant shift for British industry. The publication of the UK Industrial Strategy …
Read more “What the New UK Industrial Strategy 2025 Means for Manufacturing Businesses”
A Wake-Up Call, Not a Whitepaper If you’ve been wondering how to start digital transformation in manufacturing, really start, not just talk about it, the latest 2025 SIRI Global Benchmarking Report offers the most useful reality check you’ll read all year. The 2025 Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI) report by the International Centre for Industrial Transformation (INCIT) is the most comprehensive …
Read more “How to Start Digital Transformation in Manufacturing: Lessons from the 2025 SIRI Report”
The 2025 WEF Global Lighthouse Network highlights how 189 factories have achieved operational excellence through strategic digital transformation. They emphasize investing in workforce capabilities, integrating technology across operations, and localizing change. Mid-market manufacturers can adopt these principles to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and successfully implement digital solutions without exorbitant budgets.
The author reflects on the disconnect between UK manufacturing discussions at the National Manufacturing Summit and the pressing real-world challenges faced by manufacturers. Despite covering key issues like the skills gap, digitalization, and supply chain resilience, the summit’s focus on abstract ideas and jargon overshadowed practical solutions, highlighting the need for urgent, reality-based conversations to foster meaningful change.
The report analyzes the complexities surrounding Predictive Maintenance (PdM) in industrial settings. While promising increased efficiency and reduced downtime, many PdM projects fail due to inadequate asset prioritization, lack of human expertise, cultural resistance, and insufficient operational capacity. Effective implementation requires a comprehensive approach, addressing both technology and personnel needs.
The Make UK Executive Survey 2025 reveals that manufacturers are facing significant cost pressures, particularly from rising employment costs. Many are shifting to technology-driven efficiencies rather than expanding their workforce. Despite financial strains, nearly half are prioritizing product innovation and sustainability, suggesting a proactive approach to long-term growth amid volatility.
For years, manufacturers relied on cutting costs to stay competitive, but recent challenges have exposed the need for building resilience over cutting costs. Global supply chain disruptions, geopolitical shifts, and growing sustainability demands have made resilience, adaptability, and innovation critical for survival. It’s time to rethink manufacturing strategies for a stronger future. The World Economic Forum’s …
Read more “Rethinking Manufacturing – Building Resilience Over Cutting Costs”
Last week, I had the honour of delivering the keynote at the Digital Manufacturing Summit UK 2024 from Transform Industry. I was invited by Ryan —a company dedicated to helping businesses unlock funding for innovation—and it was a whirlwind of insights, debates, and, let’s be honest, more than a few buzzwords. While the summit showcased …
Executive Summary This week in Transformation Tuesday, we take a look at Rockwell Automation’s “9th Annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report”, illuminating the path to enhanced efficiency, innovation, and profitability. The report distils key trends and technologies into six vital themes: Adoption of Emerging Technologies, Data Management and Utilization, Cybersecurity, Sustainability and ESG, Workforce Development, …
Read more “Rockwell Smart Manufacturing Report : Key Insights to Unlock Efficiency and Growth”