From the Duke Engineering Team
Unplanned Downtime Is an Obsolescence Problem
How to cut OEE losses from ageing controls, before they cost you.
Flexible Engineering Resource: Scale Your Team Without the Overhead
Why more manufacturers are turning to flexible engineering resource instead of the agency call, and what you actually get with it.
Control Panel Build for UK Manufacturers: What to Expect
What the process looks like, what it costs, and what to tell your supplier to get the right result.
Warehouse Automation on a Budget: What SMEs Can Afford
Practical automation options for small and medium UK warehouses. What you can realistically afford, where to start, and how to avoid overspending.
How Much Does Factory Automation Cost in the UK?
Realistic cost ranges by project type — PLC retrofits, robotic cells, conveyor systems — and what drives the price up or down.
Virtual Commissioning Explained: Cut On-Site Startup Time by 80%
Testing your automation system in simulation before installation, how it works, when to use it, and what to ask your integrator.
Cobots vs Traditional Robots: Which Is Right for Your Production Line?
A practical guide to understanding the difference between cobots and traditional robots, and which is right for your facility.
How to Choose an Automation Integrator: UK Buyer's Guide
What to look for, what to ask, and what the warning signs look like before you commit to an integrator.
Modernise Legacy Control Systems: Safe Obsolete PLC Upgrades
Ageing PLCs pose real risk to production reliability. How to approach a legacy upgrade safely with minimal disruption.
Palletising Robots in the FMCG Sector
How palletising robots improve throughput, safety and flexibility for fast-moving consumer goods manufacturers.
Global Robot Density 2025: Top Countries vs the UK
South Korea leads with 1,220 robots per 10,000 workers. Where does the UK rank and what does it mean for manufacturers?
Why Your Robot Feels More Like a Liability Than an Asset
Unplanned stops, safety trips and missed cycle times — is your robot a bottleneck? Here's how to fix it.
UK Automotive Industry Post-Brexit: EV Shift & Future Outlook 2026
From Daimler to gigafactories — how automation is helping UK plants stay competitive in the EV era.
Reviving Legacy PLCs: Upgrade Obsolete Controls Without Downtime
Over 50% of UK factory controls are over 12 years old. Proven strategies for upgrading without halting production.
2026 UK Labour Crisis: Why Factories Need Robots & Automation Now
49,000 manufacturing vacancies and rising. How automation is helping UK factories close the gap.
Industry 4.0 Reality: The 80/20 Rule for UK Manufacturers
Forget million-pound MES platforms. How to deliver 80% of Industry 4.0 gains from 20% of targeted improvements.
Unlock Hidden Capacity: The Value of a Free Production Line Review
Independent expert eyes often spot inefficiencies that daily operators miss — and what results clients have achieved.
Palletising Robots: Fast ROI for Any End-of-Line
25–35% labour savings and ROI within 18 months — integrating with your existing line without expensive rebuilds.