Last week we exhibited at the NEC in Birmingham for Smart Manufacturing & Engineering Week, and with reports of over 13,500 attendees, it certainly felt like the place to be for UK manufacturing.
Following many interesting conversations, it became clear that the industry collectively has some core focuses.
Another major focus this year is to create safer working environments. With production demands increasing, the manufacturing industry is rightly prioritising the reduction of manual handling and the safeguarding of their teams.
For a lot of businesses, this means improving the safety of forklift use and increasing the presence of forklift-free zones. Forklifts are often used for tasks they’re not designed for, such as towing heavy wheeled-loads through busy production areas. Instead, using electric tugs for these tasks alongside forklifts in dedicated zones not only minimises injury risk but also bottlenecks.
We showcased how innovative material handling solutions, from our pedestrian-operated tugs to our fully autonomous AGVs, are crucial in designing-out risk, preventing accidents, and building an effective safety culture
Unsurprisingly, automation was the main topic of conversation on our stand, and we noticed that visitors were on the lookout for practical, scalable solutions that integrate seamlessly into existing processes.
Our showcase of the heavy-duty TOW300 AGV and exclusive sneak peek of our FlatBed AGV sparked plenty of discussions about production silos and creating flexible workflows that boost efficiency without the need for a complete operational overhaul.
Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) can be adapted to evolving production layouts and demands, making them ideal for manufacturers and warehouses as a future-proof investment that grows with your business.
Despite there being a real appetite for automation, it’s clear that uptake is blocked by a lingering cautiousness and ability to get buy-in from the wider business. At the show, we heard several recurring concerns that create hesitation in real-world AGV adoption:
The good news is that these issues can easily be avoided by partnering with a reputable provider and automation specialist. In addition, rather than attempting to automate all workflows at once, the most effective strategy is to begin with one workflow that creates a lot of waste, using this as the blueprint for future automation projects. This allows businesses to prove the concept, demonstrate a clear return on investment, and build the trust needed to scale automation effectively.
A surprising takeaway was the number of businesses searching for alternative AGV suppliers after poor experiences with ‘off-the-shelf' automation solutions that failed to deliver with a lack of ongoing support. This is why we place so much focus on creating AGVs that you can actually trust.
James Jones, Partner at MasterMover, confirms:
“Our approach is fundamentally different; we believe successful automation relies on true understanding and collaboration. That’s why we developed our comprehensive five step process to guarantee we deliver the right AGV solution, seamlessly integrated, fully supported, and ready to provide value from day one.”
Smart Manufacturing Week demonstrated the importance of partnering with trustworthy automation providers and prioritising safety in material handling operations. If you didn't get a chance to connect with us at the show, or if these challenges resonate with you, download our brochure below or reach out to our in-house experts to discuss your project.