It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.
It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.
Here we speak to Andy Priestley, Managing Director of DSP (Interiors) Ltd Derby.
A sense of normality finally started to emerge again in 2022 following a turbulent few years for business in the wake of the pandemic. But this sense of calm hasn’t lasted long and we are now faced with a cost of living crisis, rocketing energy bills and an impending recession.
However, we have to stay positive and as we look towards 2023, there are a number of trends I predict will come to the fore, especially in industrial production and the emergence of factories of the future.
There is significant demand for UK manufacturing to evolve in order to maintain international competitiveness and promote economic, social and environmental sustainability.
Factories of the future are future-oriented manufacturing companies that embrace industry changes. In the coming year, we are set to see future-oriented manufacturing companies drive flexibility, customisation, and product innovation.
The industry will have to become more efficient in response to fast-changing market demands to produce better results but will have to do it sustainably.
Research from the World Economic Forum suggests that manufacturing represents 54% of the world’s energy consumption and is responsible for 20% of global emissions, meaning the industry must act fast to reduce its footprint.
Sustainable manufacturing will continue to be an important topic into 2023, with trends towards optimum sizing of production equipment, reducing waste and material and energy use. More on this topic later.
I predict there will be more automation and digital transformation heading into 2023 and beyond, with companies adopting a new culture of experimentation and innovation within their organisations.
Companies that embrace automation and advanced manufacturing technology across their factories and supply chains will thrive in their respective sectors.
This will involve employees working alongside new technology to ensure operations run smoothly, with staff re-training taking place where appropriate.
Those companies that don’t adapt accordingly risk falling behind, with business growth slowing down.
A key example of this early adaptation is SureScreen Diagnostics Ltd. The team at DSP Interiors have recently delivered phases 1-3 of a new state-of-the-art production facility at Sherwood Business Park in Nottingham for them. The flexible, agile nature of the facility allows SureScreen to quickly adapt their technology to address new challenges facing both the UK and abroad.
This agility and adaption will also extend to contemporary workplaces. The pandemic has challenged the notion of the office, allowing staff to work more flexibly where required but also support a more collaborative workplace environment centred around the activity of the worker when they do visit the office. For example, areas for focused work, huddles for team meetings, informal areas for creative collaboration, ‘re-charge’ breakout zones and more.
More precisely it has been a catalyst for design-led thinking that had started to garner momentum prior to COVID – biophilic agile offices that promote staff well-being, foster creativity and improve productivity through collaboration.
I see workplace design in 2023 continuing to evolve this flexible offering with a heavy focus on user well-being, assisted by technology and incorporating biophilic elements.
