The Future of Industry: A Green Recovery

The industrial world has been hard hit by one of the most challenging years to date. From supply chains, right down to the factory floor, the industry has had to adapt to stay on top of meeting customer needs and government regulations and to manage rising costs. However, this year has also proven just how agile and dynamic industry can be. The accelerated adoption of digital technologies will ensure industry can spearhead a green recovery and provide highly skilled technology jobs, inspiring the next generation of engineering talent. 

Today, we are at a tipping point. The UK’s GDP was down 9.9% in 2020 compared with 2019, with the estimated global contraction of 6.9% in 2020 as coronavirus lockdown measures quickly pushed the country into recession, heavily impacting manufacturing. As the industry looks to rebuild and grow after the pandemic, there is an opportunity for the industrial world to change its outlook and focus on a sustainable, resilient and people-centric green recovery. Safeguarding the environment through new policies and solutions and investing in technology will be key to ensuring we remain on track to achieving ambitious net zero goals. 

Recognising existing technology and adapting

Despite the UK and Ireland and several other global economies having a well-earned reputation for hi-tech industrial innovations – we are stuck in the past. In fact, industrial automation systems – that manage everything from raw materials to finished goods and services – have changed little over the last 50 years. When it comes to adopting technology, the industry’s traditional approach has been to ignore the value new approaches, like universal automation, can have on the success of operations. 

Now it’s become clear that the industrial world can no longer inhabit an environment of proprietary systems and vendor lock-in. We must now come together to ensure that not only the full promise of the Fourth Industrial Revolution is realised but also that employee wellbeing and sustainability can be optimized.

Organisations must recognise that next-generation industrial automation must be interoperable to break free from the current closed, propriety model. It’s time for universal automation based on the IEC 61499 standard for interoperability, making all systems easy to implement and plug together. Instead of being dependent on one vendor’s system, OEMs, integrators, and end users can build the automation systems they need with the best ‘plug-and-produce’ solutions from multiple providers. The result will be the equivalent of an Industrial App Store and will provide manufacturers a new lease of life. 

A new generation of manufacturing

With the adoption of universal automation, manufacturers and process industries can achieve step-change advancements. Industrial technology keeps people safe, empowered and engaged, helping retain and attract new talent. It facilitates knowledge-sharing and training, and creates new types of jobs. Not only this, but empowered employees make fast, informed decisions, boosting productivity and operational efficiency – through solutions like augmented reality and secure remote access. 

Technology can unchain workers from repetitive tasks and allows them to bring more value with skills that can’t be done by a machine. Imagination, reasoning, judgement and improvisation will be left to individuals, with robots doing the heavy lifting and cobots supporting people on the factory floor. In this new era, it is vital that we understand that technology not only advances processes but also empowers people. The industrial world needs to transform the way people are employed in industrial settings and ensure businesses contribute to the advancement of society. This will not only help with the survival of the sector but will also guarantee future success. 

Reimagining sustainability 

With over half of UK manufacturers seemingly on target to achieve their net zero goals, we are on the right path to a green recovery. However, we must reimagine sustainability in industrial sectors to ensure success. It can be done, as our own net zero factories make clear. This includes reducing waste, increasing circularity, and encouraging electrification and decarbonization for efficiency and sustainability. It must be tangible and relevant. 

Industrial companies have a huge role to play in combatting climate change. Digital transformation in industry can achieve these sustainability goals. Eliminating waste and optimising operations is good not only for the bottom line but also for the planet. Ensuring that products are locally made and sustainably sourced will help build a sustainable future and support the communities in which they operate. 

Moving towards a green recovery 

An essential component to guaranteeing long term success is to ensure that businesses completely transform and adopt the new digital world. Businesses must reconfigure and align their organisations to realise the true potential of new technologies that help in achieving a green recovery, business profitability and productivity in the future.