UK manufacturers ‘must invest more in automation to remain competitive’

British manufacturers risk falling behind European competitors because of a lack of investment in automation, a yearly survey has shown. Despite a “brighter” global outlook, UK companies’ investment in new plants and machinery dropped over two years from 7.5% of turnover to 6.5% while European companies forged ahead with modern streamlining and productivity technology, the Annual Investment Monitor from manufacturers’ organisation EEF and bank Santander showed.