Manufacturers aim for advanced technology in 2023

Investment in deep tech solutions and a commitment to innovation are key drivers for many UK manufacturing business leaders, according to a new survey.

Advanced technology champion the Digital Catapult’s poll reveals that virtual and augmented reality systems represent manufacturers’ top technology priority for 2023, with 35% of the vote.

Next comes Digital Twins, which is an ambition for 28% of firms, followed by Blockchain and other distributed ledger technologies (26%).

A quarter of companies in the sector say they are also looking into Additive manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence and machine learning. 

According to the Digital Catapult, even with supply chain challenges and the rising costs of energy and components, UK manufacturing plans to invest more in transformative technologies over the next year.

Aside from technology, 60% of manufacturers indicated they want to make their supply chains more resilient in 2023, with 57% saying they want to upskill their talent and 52% aiming to create more flexible business models.

Nearly half of manufacturers said energy supply and costs represent their biggest worry for 2023, followed by the costs of parts and components (32%) and managing supply chain disruption (28%).

Digital Catapult director of market development Nick Wright said: “More than ever before we’re seeing the power and tangible impact that technology can have – and indeed is already having – on manufacturing businesses right across the industry.”