Preparing UK Industry for the future at MACH 2026

April 2026

Rising costs, skills shortages and global uncertainty are forcing manufacturers to reassess how they operate. Manufacturing remains a vital part of the UK economy, contributing over £500 billion in gross value added in direct, indirect and induced impacts to the UK economy and supporting around 7.3 million jobs, according to a 2024 study by Oxford Economics.

As the UK manufacturing sector gathers for MACH 2026, the conversation across the industry is shifting. Michael Duffield, UK General Manager at Renishaw, explores how manufacturers are strengthening operational control, improving resilience and ensuring their operations are ready for future challenges and opportunities for future challenges and opportunities.

For many manufacturers, opportunity is already present; the question is whether their operations are equipped to capture it. With growing demand in sectors such as aerospace and high-precision engineering, firms must ensure their production systems can scale efficiently.

This requires the right level of skilled employees and technology, supported by integrated, data-driven decision-making and higher levels of process automation. Together, these capabilities enable manufacturers to convert opportunity into profitable, sustainable growth. Without these foundations, even promising market conditions may be difficult to capitalise on.