White Papers Archives

What the New UK Industrial Strategy 2025 Means for Manufacturing Businesses

by Nick LeederBeyond the Buzzwords, White Papers 25 June 202525 June 2025Comments are Disabled

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 …

How to Start Digital Transformation in Manufacturing: Lessons from the 2025 SIRI Report

by Nick LeederBeyond the Buzzwords, START, White Papers 13 June 202513 June 2025Comments are Disabled

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 …

From Factory Floor to Lighthouse Leader: What Mid-Market Manufacturers Can Learn from the 2025 WEF Global Lighthouse Network

by Nick LeederBeyond the Buzzwords, White Papers 18 March 20255 March 2025Comments are Disabled

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 Predictive Maintenance Illusion: What Operational and Financial Leaders Should Know Before Investing

by Nick LeederThought Leadership, White Papers 5 February 202529 January 2025Comments are Disabled

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.

Manufacturing Cost Pressures in 2025 - Key Trends & Risks

Manufacturing in 2025: Growth, Risk, and the Strategic Path Forward

by Nick LeederManufacturing, White Papers 18 January 202518 January 2025Comments are Disabled

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.

WEF Building Resilience Over Cutting Costs in Manufacturing Title

Rethinking Manufacturing – Building Resilience Over Cutting Costs

by Nick LeederBeyond the Buzzwords, White Papers, World Economic Forum 19 December 202415 December 2024Comments are Disabled

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 …

Rockwell Smart Manufacturing Report : Key Insights to Unlock Efficiency and Growth

by Nick LeederBeyond the Buzzwords, Transformation Tuesday, White Papers 9 July 20244 July 2024Comments are Disabled

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, …

Driving sustainability in industrial clusters

by Nick LeederCoSIRI, White Papers 5 April 20221 April 2024Comments are Disabled

This is a really interesting white paper from Microsoft and Accenture driving sustainability in industrial clusters to help cut emissions and accelerate the drive to net-zero. Industrial clusters are geographic areas comprised of co-located companies that represent a single or multiple industries, such as refining, cement or steel. With industry responsible for 30 percent of …

Augmented Workforce – digital transformation impact on people…

by Nick LeederThought Leadership, White Papers, World Economic Forum 1 February 20222 April 2022Comments are Disabled

People know how passionate I am about the influence and opportunities that digital technologies have on the workforce. It’s great to be able to contribute to the World Economic Forum White Paper on “Augmented Workforce: Empowering People, Transforming Manufacturing”. Although technology is an important pillar of organisational strategy, people remain essential on shop floors and …