Innovation Archives - Oxford Innovation Advice

Manufacturing Barometer special focus: Shaping the future of SME Manufacturing

Posted on November 18, 2020February 1, 2024 by Martin Coats

Taking the pulse of over 400 manufacturing SMEs across England, including those supported by our Manufacturing Growth Programme, showed that whilst many businesses are still facing challenges because of the COVID-19 pandemic, for others, the marketplace has picked up slightly over recent months.

The majority of respondents reported a reduction in profits between April and September, but over a quarter of companies actually saw an increase throughout this period. Future investment predictions are also more positive than they have been since the COVID-19 crisis began, and show a resilience amongst SME manufacturers, but this report indicates that the manufacturing sector is not yet back to its pre-pandemic position.

Despite some positive predictions for the coming six months, it is clear that the SME manufacturing sector is still working its way through current economic challenges, and it will be interesting to
see, in next quarter’s Barometer report, how the second national lockdown impacts the sector further.

Covid-19 Impact on Innovative SMEs – 17 April-9 July 2020

Posted on July 21, 2020February 1, 2024 by Dr Jane Galsworthy

The analysis is based on conversations with 73 SMEs in the South East. These SMEs are innovative: they are developing a new product, process or service, and the majority have received grant funding from Innovate UK or are likely to apply for Innovate UK support in future.

Most SMEs have stabilised and reduced their outgoings to match income. They are now focused on rebuilding their order books although this will be easier in some sectors than others.

Manufacturing Barometer special focus: Robot Adoption – the SME Challenge

Posted on December 16, 2019May 25, 2021 by Martin Coats

Less than one third of the UK’s SME manufacturers currently use robots – or plan to do so – highlighting a sector where the vast majority of businesses are losing out on the chance to address key sector challenges such as talent shortages and introduce efficiency-boosting solutions.
The latest national Manufacturing Barometer report reveals that just 16% of manufacturing businesses have already adopted robots, with another 13% saying they plan to start using them. But over 70% have no plans, or are unsure about, introducing robots.

Three important findings came out of our research;

Few SME manufacturers in the UK are benefiting from using robots in their businesses. Secondly,
The bulk of SME manufacturers are not using robots because they believe there is no robotic solution available to them; the majority of these manufacture low volume bespoke products.
More than one third of SME manufacturers who do not yet use robots are unsure if their competitors do