As prime minister, Theresa May unveils a new, 10-point industrial strategy today designed to boost the post-Brexit UK economy, please see commentary from Martin Walder, vice president of industry at energy management specialist, Schneider Electric:
 
“Brexit is top of mind for many UK businesses as 2017 continues to unfold. With the Prime Minister revealing more and more of the Brexit roadmap, it’s reassuring to see that investment in UK industry is still high on the agenda. Taking advantage of smart manufacturing and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) will fuel the progress of UK industry and ensure that we can compete on a global platform.  
 
“It’s essential that British Industry is given every opportunity to be at the leading edge of global industrial innovation through fresh investment, in order to combat the risk of stagnation. An Internet of Things-enabled industrial environment will push the boundaries of technological innovation and empower manufacturers to energise their workspaces – from the use of augmented reality in plant maintenance, and the rollout of smart sensing technology, to predictive maintenance, Virtual Reality tools and processes, and the integration of robotics on the factory floor.
 
“It’s never been more important for the UK to deliver the best products at competitive prices. In order to do this, we need the Government to drive capital investment in new manufacturing plant technology and equipment, such as robotics, automation and artificial intelligence. Research and innovation in these areas will have a direct impact on how new technology is rolled out, bringing with it the potential for significant gains in profitability, and the better management of safety, performance and environmental impact.”