Precision obsession is powering the future of motorsport
As racing disciplines evolve under cost caps, regulations shift, and competition remains relentless, digital precision engineering is no longer a backroom advantage; it is now the frontline of performance. At first glance, Formula One, NASCAR and endurance sports car racing could not appear more different. But behind the trackside drama lies a shared engineering mindset. […]
Humanoids enter the workforce as autonomy becomes an industrial imperative
Labour shortages, demographic shifts and rising complexity are forcing manufacturers to move beyond automation. A new generation of humanoid robots is emerging to tackle real-world operational needs, fusing spatial intelligence with physical dexterity to reshape the future of work. Manufacturing has spent decades chasing efficiency through automation. Yet the increasing pace of change, coupled with […]
Manufacturing needs a smarter brain, not just faster hands
Automation is nothing new to the factory floor, but as pressure mounts to speed up production and eliminate errors, manufacturers are finding that digitising physical processes is not enough. A fundamental transformation is happening behind the scenes in how machines learn, coordinate and make decisions. Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division has launched a new suite of […]
Digital twins are evolving, but industry thinking must evolve with them
Digital twin technology is fast becoming foundational to manufacturing operations. Still, without connectivity, immersive visualisation, and strategic foresight, even the best tools risk becoming isolated replicas rather than real-time, real-world assets. Digital twins have long been positioned as the key to unlocking smarter, more agile industrial operations. Their origins lie in engineering design and complex […]
Humans will remain the brain of the MES
Manufacturers must separate GenAI’s promise from reality, confront cultural resistance, and stay focused on collective intelligence if they want their MES strategy to succeed in the AI era. Rick Franzosa was a keynote speaker at Critical Manufacturing’s MES & Industry 4.0 Summit in Porto, and that was his key takeaway. The job of a manufacturing […]
Europe is not behind in digital transformation it is dead last
At Critical Manufacturing’s MES & Industry 4.0 Summit in Porto, keynote speaker Walker Reynolds warned that most manufacturers still treat Excel as their MES and ignore the architecture that will define AI-driven operations. Without a unified strategy, Europe risks losing its industrial future. The mood in European boardrooms remains cautious. Executives speak earnestly about transformation, […]
Welcome to the thinking factory
At MES & Industry 4.0 in Porto, Francisco Almada Lobo, Chief Executive Officer of Critical Manufacturing, explains how manufacturing execution systems are evolving fast. The integration of AI agents, reasoning models and memory-driven intelligence is transforming decision-making on the factory floor. The traditional MES is no longer enough. Static logic, however extensible, cannot keep pace […]
How graph databases are transforming supply chain resilience
The Red Sea crisis has once again exposed the fragility of global supply chains, forcing companies to rethink logistics strategies. Mark Venables discovers how graph databases are emerging as a crucial tool, offering real-time insights, predictive capabilities, and the agility needed to navigate growing geopolitical uncertainty. The disruption of maritime traffic in the Red Sea […]
AI-powered digital twins redefine BMW’s approach to global factory planning
BMW is reinventing the digital twin by embedding AI at its core, enabling intelligent assistants, global collaboration, and process optimisation across its industrial estate. The company’s work redefines the future of smart manufacturing and highlights how AI and simulation can converge in real time at an enterprise scale. BMW is reinventing the digital twin by […]
RPA driving manufacturing efficiency and growth
RPA is revolutionising manufacturing by automating repetitive tasks and integrating complex data across legacy systems, freeing skilled workers to focus on strategic improvements. As Mark Venables reveals, RPA’s scalable and adaptable solutions are a powerful catalyst for digital transformation in today’s fast-paced industrial landscape. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) has become a transformative tool in manufacturing, […]
Robots at the edge of precision are reshaping the factory floor
Real-time software is becoming the cornerstone of intelligent robotics, enabling a new era of safe, high-performance automation. As global manufacturing faces rising complexity, only those with the right digital foundation will keep pace. Europe’s manufacturing sector is no stranger to disruption. It has endured profound structural change, from pandemic-induced shocks to skilled labour shortages and […]
Automation is the missing piece in sustainable manufacturing
Sustainable manufacturing strategies often overlook the role of automation, yet this technology offers the most straightforward route to achieving emissions goals at scale and speed. Senior engineers and executives must now reconsider automation not as an operational efficiency tool but as a strategic enabler of long-term environmental performance. Manufacturing remains one of the largest contributors […]
Industrial AI will not deliver if it is treated as a goal rather than a tool
The accelerating shift toward industrial AI promises efficiency, agility, and sustainability gains. Still, manufacturers must move beyond the buzzwords and focus on customer value, domain expertise, and a disciplined innovation process to realise its full potential. The manufacturing sector is no stranger to complexity, yet the volatility of today’s operating environment is pushing even the […]
How AI is transforming manufacturing for the future
AI is changing how manufacturers operate, from streamlining processes to enhancing efficiency and decision-making. Mark Venables explores the key opportunities, challenges, and future trends that are shaping the role of AI in manufacturing. The rapid advancement of AI technology is reshaping the manufacturing industry, creating new opportunities to streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and drive innovation. […]
5G and edge computing drive the future of manufacturing
5G and edge computing transform manufacturing by enabling real-time decision-making, predictive maintenance, and intelligent automation. This shift is revolutionising operational efficiency and setting a new standard for connected industrial environments. Manufacturers are on the cusp of a radical shift as 5G and edge computing move from promising technologies to critical enablers of real-time production, supply […]
The truth about AI in manufacturing is messier than you think
Executives are under pressure to deploy AI, but many efforts stall before they start. Successful AI adoption is not about algorithms but the foundations of data, infrastructure, and people. The current wave of AI adoption in manufacturing comes with high expectations. The possibilities appear limitless, from predictive maintenance and autonomous supply chains to AI-generated reports […]
Citizen developers provide boost to digital innovation
Citizen development transforms manufacturing by empowering non-technical employees to build and deploy applications, driving agility and accelerating digital transformation. As Mark Venables explains, by embracing this model, businesses can optimise processes, reduce IT dependency, and boost competitiveness. As the demand for digital transformation accelerates, companies are turning to an emerging model known as citizen development […]
Predictive is not enough to survive supply chain shocks
Manufacturers need more than insight to compete; they need foresight. Predictive and generative AI are fusing with granular data, agentic interfaces and unified infrastructure to turn static plans into living, breathing operations. For decades, forecasting in manufacturing has been built around compromise. The traditional approach to demand planning relied on aggregating data into manageable blocks, […]
AI and analytics fuel next-generations maintenance
Predictive maintenance is transforming manufacturing by harnessing AI and data analytics to pre-empt equipment failures, streamline operations, and drive strategic decision-making. Mark Venables explores how companies like McLaren Racing are using predictive insights to gain a competitive edge while addressing the challenges of data integration, security, and upskilling. Predictive maintenance is redefining manufacturing, offering a […]
Greencore and QA redefine food manufacturing through data-driven transformation
UK food manufacturer Greencore has embarked on a bold initiative to integrate data-driven decision-making at every level of its operations. In partnership with QA, a UK tech training provider, the company has launched a bespoke Data Academy designed to embed data literacy across its workforce, aligning with its five-year strategic vision. The initiative comes at […]
Data sovereignty moves from compliance burden to strategic advantage
More than half of UK organisations now recognise data sovereignty as a crucial element of their data strategy, with customer trust emerging as a key driver alongside regulatory compliance. Research from OVHcloud, based on a survey of 500 IT decision makers in large organisations, highlights a shift in attitudes towards data sovereignty, positioning it as […]
