Manufacturing News – Early June 2026
A new report has warned that while the UK possesses world-leading strengths in manufacturing and artificial intelligence (AI), many manufacturers remain stuck in the experimentation phase and are struggling to deploy the technology at scale.
The report, From Pilot to Production: A Practical UK Plan to Scale Industrial AI Deployment in Advanced Manufacturing, authored by Professor Chris Dungey, HVM Catapult Chief Technology Officer and the government’s AI Champion for Advanced Manufacturing, highlights a growing gap between the UK’s AI capabilities and its ability to translate them into widespread industrial adoption.
According to the report, manufacturing contributes around £234bn annually to the UK economy, supports 2.5 million jobs and accounts for nearly half of private sector research and development investment. AI has the potential to improve productivity, quality, resilience, and energy efficiency, while supporting predictive maintenance, supply chain optimisation and safer factory operations.
Sourced from The Manufacturer
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A major new skills partnership has been launched in Plymouth to strengthen the city’s position as one of the UK’s leading centres for engineering and advanced manufacturing.
The new Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group (PMG) Academy at City College Plymouth brings together industry and education to create a direct pipeline of talent into high-value jobs across the city’s thriving manufacturing and engineering sector.
The Academy is designed to support young people aged 16-18 progressing into further education at level 2, as well as adults looking to reskill or retrain into one of the UK’s most in-demand industries. It will provide students with advanced manufacturing and engineering skills that form a strong foundation for progression into Apprenticeships with PMG members or onto advanced level qualifications.
Sourced from The Manufacturer
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Small and medium-sized manufacturers across the South West can access a share of £800,000 in funding to reduce costs, improve productivity and accelerate digital adoption.
The Made Smarter programme, backed by the Department for Business and Trade through the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, is designed to help production-based businesses implement technologies including automation, robotics, AI, and industrial Internet of Things.
Delivered by NCC in partnership with UWE Bristol and Oxford Innovation Advice, the programme provides match-funded grants of up to £20,000 for digital and production technologies, fully funded expert digital diagnostics, funded digital internships and funded workforce training.
Sourced from The Manufacturer
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East Midlands poised to unlock £107m growth war chest for jobs, business and regeneration.
East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is set to approve a £107m investment plan that will direct funding into skills, business growth, regeneration and infrastructure projects across the region over the next four years.
The Local Growth Fund (LGF) Investment Plan, due to be considered by the EMCCA Board on 8 June, is required to secure government funding covering the period from 2026 to 2030.
The fund comprises £60m of capital funding and £47m of revenue funding, with allocations rising from £24m in 2026/27 to £31m in 2028/29 before tapering to £27m in the final year.
Sourced from The Business Desk
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The second quarter of 2026 saw improvements in demand and output for Scotland’s engineering and manufacturing sector, but confidence has weakened amid concerns over rising costs – particularly from energy and steel trade policy changes.
The latest survey from trade body Scottish Engineering showed order intake rising to a net 17%, and output volume to 20%, continuing the recovery seen earlier this year. Export orders also returned to positive territory at 9%, while staffing improved to 9% and overtime increased to 16%.
Forecasts for the next quarter also remain encouraging, with businesses expecting order intake to rise by 23% on average and output volume by 27%. Training investment stayed positive at 21%, underlining continued efforts to address long-term skills shortages.
Sourced from The Business Desk
