Our Mission

Our mission is to create needs-driven processes to support industry in realising the potential of a people-led approach to digitalisation. We place our most valuable asset - people - at the core of all our solutions.

We work in close partnership with industry to sustain and grow an enduring competitive advantage by enabling and developing digitally-engaged people and processes for UK manufacturing.

What is novel about our research?

Digital technologies have the potential to transform manufacturing by increasing productivity and opening up new business opportunities. Though this might seem like a purely technical challenge to overcome, many of the most pressing barriers are because of the ‘human’ element. For example, a digital skills gap, implementation that fails to support human capability, employee resistance, or a lack of senior management support or vision.

Manufacturers need digitally-engaged people to realise the full potential of digitalisation. They know that the adoption and uptake of appropriate digital technologies will enable their manufacturing business to thrive. However, many industry and academic activities have a single focus such as new technology, tools or digital interfaces. Our industrial partners stated they need more and we are delivering it. They want to focus on the people and unlocking their potential by changing the mindset of people ‘operating the equipment’ to ‘equipping the operator’.