Festo at 100: automation to power UK manufacturing

18 Sep 2025

Industry leaders gathered at Festo GB’s Innovation Centre to mark the company’s centenary and explore how automation can boost UK competitiveness. Speakers from Made in Britain, WorldSkills UK, the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and Festo focused on innovation, skills and investment. “Innovation keeps us competitive; sustainability keeps us accountable,” said Swapnil Khedekar, Head of Operations, Festo GB.

Ben Blackledge (WorldSkills UK) highlighted the skills gap—63% of manufacturers say young people lack required skills, 50% struggle to engage with educators, and 83% of young people see barriers—calling for world-class training standards. John Pearce (Made in Britain) urged resilient local supply chains as “responsible manufacturing.”

Professor Mike Wilson (MTC) pressed for faster automation adoption: the UK averages 119 robots per 10,000 employees; matching leading nations could lift productivity by 22%. Easier-to-deploy tech—cobots, software, AI—is lowering barriers, especially for SMEs. Dr Sebastian Beck (Festo) previewed a forthcoming open-architecture automation platform.

Festo closed by reaffirming its focus on sustainable, energy-efficient solutions, investment in local manufacturing, partnership working and lifelong learning.

To read the full press release visit Festo’s website  Press Service | Festo Corporate