Main Interview Understanding the pressures and challenges facing UK manufacturers

Issue 247- 2026

Explore how Starkey combines automation and patientcentered design to create life-changing hearing solutions

Hello and welcome to the latest issue of Manufacturing Today. This month, Stuart Weekes, National Head of Manufacturing at Crowe, shares some of his insights on the UK manufacturing sector. Alongside a recent study and other hot topics, he touches on cyber security. Carsten Heer’ s feature on Robotics then looks at this too – he analyzes robotics, artificial intelligence and the need for robust governance in this area.

I was also fascinated by the findings discussed in the KLM Engineering case study. It certainly opens a conversation about waste – not just in resources but in time. Could you find hidden taxes on productivity on the shop floor? It’ s time to take a look, as in this case the inefficiency was, in their words‘ deceptively ordinary’.

Libbie Hammond, Editor LH @ finelightmediagroup. com

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The

sound of progress

Our cover story this issue goes inside Starkey – on its journey from hearing aid repair business to global leader in hearing technology, it has been driven by the belief that better hearing changes lives. Turn to page 54 to learn more.

@ mfgtodaymag manufacturingtodaymagazine

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Manufacturing Today Issue - 247 April 2026 | Page 3