The latest Made in Group Monthly Industry Meetup brought together a wide array of experts for a deep dive into the Future Factories during a lively breakout roundtable discussion. Key panelists shared their real-world experiences and practical advice on how manufacturers can successfully navigate the complexities of industry transformation and included:
Ben Arnold from PECO
Carol McDonald from McLar
James Miller from LK Metrology
Ben Arnold from PECO
Philip Crothers from Rambase
Lee Davies from Debar
Tommy Fisher from Lean Control Innovations
Ruth Edwards from Birmingham City University
Tony Mattravers from Made in South-West / SWMAS
The session, moderated by Charles Addison, Chair of Made in the Midlands, kicked off with an eye-opening discussion about the importance of demystifying the jargon that often surrounds the concept of the Future Factory. Charles highlighted a recent shop floor visit where operatives not only knew what they were making but also had clear visibility into their role, professional development path, and training plans. The integration of a skills matrix that outlined the steps required to advance in seniority was a compelling example of how factories can empower workers while promoting long-term career progression.
Ben Arnold from PECO was quick to acknowledge the rising production costs that many manufacturers are grappling with, particularly in light of escalating labour expenses. PECO, which is in the early stages of automating their operations, is looking at collaborative robots (cobots) as part of their strategy to maintain competitiveness. They’ve begun an ambitious 12-month implementation of an ERP/MRP system to integrate their legacy manufacturing operations, marking the beginning of their journey toward greater automation. Ben stressed that this step is crucial, especially as rising costs justify such investments in technology.
Meanwhile, James Miller from LK Metrology provided insight into the company’s portfolio of future-ready inspection equipment. He discussed how the industry is seeing a shift towards machines that are shop-floor hardened, negating the need for expensive temperature-controlled clean rooms. However, James cautioned that while the technology is ready, the slow adoption and high upfront costs of such innovations deter many businesses from making the leap. He also pointed out that with 50% of the engineering workforce nearing retirement in the next decade, this technology could be key to future-proofing manufacturing skills.
On the other side of the automation spectrum, Lee Davies from Debar shared how his company is addressing the administrative burden by automating labor-intensive tasks. While they are looking into cobots for the shop floor, Lee also highlighted the challenging funding landscape for such investments. Despite the promise of automation, businesses often struggle to secure the financial support they need to integrate these technologies.
Tommy Fisher from Lean Control Innovations spoke to the overwhelming jargon and complexity that accompanies the Future Factory journey. He emphasized the importance of laying the right foundations before diving into sophisticated ERP/MRP systems. Often, companies rush into these solutions without first ensuring they’ve implemented basic Industry 3.0 tools, like sensors, which are crucial for gathering actionable data.
Phil Crothers from Rambase echoed Tommy’s sentiment, explaining that many businesses embarking on ERP/MRP implementations discover too late that their systems are not fully integrated. As a result, companies face data sprawl, with disconnected back-office systems causing inefficiencies. Phil advocated for a more structured approach, emphasizing the need to create a physical roadmap to ensure that quality data is integrated into all systems from the outset.
Ruth Edwards from Birmingham City University provided an exciting update on the 50th anniversary of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), an initiative that helps bridge the gap between academia and industry. With 26 active funded projects currently underway, Ruth highlighted that 67% of these projects are funded for SMEs. The university’s support ensures that businesses retain the intellectual property created through these partnerships, helping them scale while benefiting from cutting-edge academic research. The University are running an event on 10th June celebrating the anniversary of KTPs and invite manufacturers to attend.
Finally, Tony Mattravers from SWMAS concluded with a critical insight about the lack of project management skills in many businesses, which he sees as a key reason why future factory strategies often fail. Tony, with his background in software, pointed out that many firms struggle to connect their ERP, MRP, CRM, and accounting systems—a missed opportunity that can derail a transformation strategy.
The discussion left attendees with a wealth of practical insights and a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing manufacturers as they move toward the Future Factory. While automation, digital transformation, and AI are undoubtedly part of the equation, panelists emphasized that foundational elements, such as training, integration, and effective project management, are just as crucial to achieving success in the evolving industrial landscape.