How 5G will build a more resilient manufacturing industry 

Manufacturing plays a critical role in the UK economy. The industry makes up 11% of Gross Value Added (GVA), 44% of total UK exports, and directly employs 2.6 million people. It is, however, a sector that has had to navigate a vast range of challenges over the past few years, including socioeconomic turbulence, lockdowns, impending decisions around trade deals with Europe and the potential impact on supply chains.

Amidst such uncertainty there is one thing that remains clear: manufacturers face a time of inevitable change at every level of their business. And it is how this change is embraced that will ultimately determine the winners from the losers.

The application of 5G technology has the power to drive positive change across almost every industry in the world. For manufacturing in particular, 5G promises a host of benefits. From improving efficiencies to boosting output, harnessing this technology will prove truly transformational.

The introduction of private 5G networks in manufacturing enables the creation of smart factories. The level of automation permitted by smart factories promises a host of benefits, including real-time linkages to customer demand forecasts, reliable quality, predictable production capacity and lower cost of production. The heightened visibility, pace of production and efficiency allowed by smart factories are key drivers that contribute to driving higher productivity levels in manufacturing.