Major £3.67m investment to help Yorkshire manufacturers adopt robotics and automation
Led by the University of Bradford, the 42-month Yorkshire Robotics Adoption Hub has secured £2.75 million of Innovate UK funding as part of the Robotics Adoption programme and brings together the University of Bradford, West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services, the University of Huddersfield and Olympus Technologies, working alongside manufacturers, technology specialists and regional partners.
For West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services, the Hub builds on its existing work with manufacturers across West Yorkshire, giving businesses another route to evaluate new technology and establish whether automation is right for them.
Closing the automation gap
Interest in automation amongst UK manufacturers is high, but this has yet to translate into the same level of adoption seen elsewhere.
Figures cited by the project highlight the scale of the challenge: while 73% of manufacturing SMEs say they intend to invest in automation, the UK currently operates around 104 robots per 10,000 manufacturing employees, compared with a global average of 177.**
The Yorkshire Robotics Adoption Hub will work with manufacturers at different stages of the process, from businesses considering automation for the first time through to those ready to develop a business case, identify suppliers or move towards deployment.
Over the course of the programme, the Hub aims to engage more than 300 manufacturers, undertake 80 feasibility studies and support at least 30 robotics deployments.
Based at West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services in Brighouse
The Hub will operate across Yorkshire, with a particular focus on the M62 and M1/A1 industrial corridors.
Its central base will be at West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services adjacent to Junction 25 of the M62, supported by a network of demonstrators and 'lighthouse sites' across the region. This will give manufacturers opportunities to see relevant technology in use and discuss potential applications with people who understand both the technology and the realities of applying it within a working manufacturing environment.
Mark Lewis, CEO of West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services, said:
"We work with manufacturers every day and we know there is a real appetite to explore robotics and automation. For many SMEs, however, there is still uncertainty around where to start, what is right for their business and whether the investment will deliver the results they need.
"The Robotics Adoption Hub is about addressing those questions and giving manufacturers the chance to properly weigh up their options before making significant investment.
"Having the Hub based at WYMS means we can build on the strong relationships we already have with manufacturers across West Yorkshire and beyond, connecting them with the specialist knowledge and expertise they need to make well-informed investment decisions.
"If that results in more Yorkshire manufacturers successfully introducing automation where it makes sense for their business, it will be good for those companies and good for manufacturing across the region."
From feasibility to deployment
The programme will take manufacturers through a structured process, from initial discussions and feasibility work through to deployment where there is a clear business case.
Manufacturers will have access to demonstrators, return-on-investment modelling and technical input. The partners bring expertise covering robotics, artificial intelligence, digital twins, machine vision and advanced manufacturing, alongside experience of applying technology in industrial settings.
The programme will be grounded in real manufacturing requirements. Major manufacturers including Myton Food Group and Groupe Atlantic will provide live industrial use cases and links into supply chains comprising more than 300 regional suppliers, helping ensure the Hub's work reflects genuine challenges faced by manufacturers.
The Hub is supported by regional and national stakeholders including West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Made Smarter Yorkshire & Humber.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:
“This is fantastic news for West Yorkshire and our manufacturing sector, helping more businesses adopt robotics and automation technologies to grow and compete.
“Our region is home to world-class manufacturing expertise and cutting-edge research, and by bringing together businesses, universities and industry partners, this will help turn those strengths into real-world success.
“That means helping firms of all sizes to innovate and compete, strengthening our economy and ensuring West Yorkshire remains a great place to invest, work and build a business.”
Professor Ben Whiteside, Principal Investigator and Director of the Institute of Digital and Sustainable Futures at the University of Bradford, said:
“the challenge is not a lack of interest in automation, but that many companies lack the time, expertise or confidence to take the next step. He said the partnership would bring universities, manufacturers, technology providers and business support organisations together, with an ambition to establish an approach that could ultimately be replicated elsewhere in the UK.”
Supporting Yorkshire manufacturing
The Robotics Adoption Hub adds a significant new area of support to the work already taking place across the region to improve manufacturing productivity and encourage investment in new technology.
For West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services, it also creates a further opportunity to bring manufacturers, universities and technology providers together around real business requirements, while making robotics and automation more accessible to SMEs across the region.
About Innovate UK
Innovate UK is the UK's innovation agency. It backs deep tech businesses in the UK's priority sectors for national benefit, supporting their journey from startup to scaling business to industry leader. Innovate UK provides funding, expert support and connections to help breakthrough ideas reach their potential, improve lives and drive economic growth. Innovate UK is part of UK Research and Innovation.
automation more accessible to SMEs across the region.
Manufacturers interested in finding out more about the Yorkshire Robotics Adoption Hub or discussing how robotics and automation could apply within their business can contact West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services at marketing@wyms.co.uk
