At the Radical Collaboration event in London on the 16th May, it became clear that incremental improvements won’t fix the deep inefficiencies in how we work across the manufacturing ecosystem. What’s needed now is a fundamental reset, one that breaks down silos, rethinks relationships between manufacturers and their partners, and creates the conditions for transformation to truly take hold. That’s exactly what the Quorum Principle in manufacturing sets out to achieve.
Because, as Henry Ford once put it:
“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.”
This event, curated by John Robinson and hosted by Global Manufacturing Strategies, brought together senior leaders from industry, technology, and policy to explore how radical collaboration, underpinned by a new operating model, can unlock untapped value in global manufacturing. Less about tech trends and more about strategic change, the event delivered a clear message: if we don’t change how we work together, no digital investment will deliver what it promises.
From buzzwords to benefits
As part of the event’s keynote, I joined Raimund Klein, CEO of the International Centre for Industrial Transformation (INCIT), to ask a fundamental question:
Where does the UK really stand in its digital transformation journey, and what’s holding us back?
Using robust data from the Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI), we painted a clear but challenging picture:
- The UK ranks beklow average in digital maturity among the top 20 global economies by GDP per capita.
- We are underperforming in process, technology, and organisational readiness, three core SIRI pillars.
- Manufacturing productivity in the UK has grown by just 2% over the past decade, compared with over 15% in leading European nations.
- The root cause: manufacturing leaders awareness and maturity to understand the opportunity from digital and willingness to seize the advantage.
The implication? If we don’t change the way we work, no amount of automation, AI, or Industry 4.0 initiatives will close the performance gap.
That’s why our message was clear: It’s time to move from buzzwords to benefits.
Download the full keynote presentation for in-depth insights and data.
The Quorum Principle in manufacturing: A new operating model
At its heart, the Quorum Principle™ challenges the outdated structures that continue to plague global manufacturing. It offers a strategic framework that enables transformation through true radical collaboration in manufacturing ecosystems.
The principle is built around four key pillars:
- Mandate – Aligning C-suite leaders across manufacturers, integrators, and technology vendors.
- Mindset – Building a culture of trust and joint ownership of outcomes.
- Methodology – Applying systems thinking to design collaborative, scalable solutions.
- Mission – Ensuring all teams are accountable to the same strategic goals.
This approach is supported by certified Quorum Coaches (of which Nick is one), who help embed the principle inside real-world industrial transformation programmes.
It’s not about theory, it’s about changing how we work in practice. Because without collaboration, digital investments rarely deliver.
Insights from the event floor
Throughout the day, panellists and delegates explored the practical implications of the Quorum Principle in manufacturing, highlighting how disruptive strategies and unified teams can unlock significant operational performance gains.
Here are four key takeaways:
- AI is a connector, not a disruptor. Jonathan Newton reminded us that “real-time data doesn’t improve performance. People do.” With solutions like AI, manufacturing teams gain access to trusted insights instantly, bridging the gap between boardroom intent and shopfloor execution.
- Technology isn’t the solution, operating models are. Deploying automation without addressing organisational readiness leads to what we call an Expensive Old Organisation (EOO). Structure must evolve alongside tech. (see the presentation link above)
- A focused industrial strategy is overdue. Speakers pointed to the UK’s fragmented approach and urged a more targeted and nationally aligned manufacturing strategy, one that builds on global benchmarks like SIRI and leverages interoperable frameworks like International Mfg-X and CESMII’s Unified Namespace.
- Skills development must anticipate tomorrow’s needs. From leadership to line operators, workforce learning and development needs a reboot, designed not around today’s roles but tomorrow’s capabilities.
Piloting the future: What comes next?
The Radical Collaboration event wasn’t a one-off, it was a launchpad.
The Quorum Principle in manufacturing is already being piloted across the UK, and international expansion is on the horizon. Leaders from the US, Europe, and Asia have expressed interest in adapting the framework to their industrial contexts.
At Nick Leeder & Co, we’re proud to play an active role in advancing this movement. Our work is focused on helping manufacturing leaders cut through complexity and deliver transformation that sticks.
We believe transformation starts with clarity, collaboration, and trust, not tech alone.
- To access the keynote presentation and explore the data for yourself: 👉 https://info.nickleeder.com/radical-collaboration-may25
- Or read more on how the Quorum Principle™ can be applied to your transformation strategy at: 👉 https://nickleeder.com/BTB/category/quorum-principle/
To everyone who joined us on the day, thank you. To those still watching from the sidelines, now is the moment to step forward.
Because in manufacturing, collaboration isn’t just a strategy. It’s the lever for unlocking real transformation.
Take the Next Step Towards Manufacturing Excellence with the Smart Industry Readiness Index
We know manufacturing leaders face relentless challenges—from navigating workforce shortages and rising costs to adopting new technologies and meeting sustainability demands. It’s a tough landscape, but you don’t have to face it alone.
At Nick Leeder & Co, we understand the pressures you’re under and the decisions you need to make. That’s why we champion the Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI)—a powerful tool designed to help leaders like you tackle complexity with confidence. With practical frameworks, expert insights, and a focus on achievable results, SIRI provides a roadmap for navigating transformation while improving efficiency, innovation, and sustainability.
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