TCEP and SMAS Take the Lead in Revolutionising Welding and Fabrication to Boost Productivity in Tayside

Recent research has highlighted the importance of Scotland increasing its levels of productivity, competitiveness and skilled workforce development, to rise to economic challenges and boost the nation’s manufacturing sector.

According to the Fraser of Allander Institute, Scotland’s productivity is below the levels of neighbouring countries such as Finland, Denmark, Belgium and Ireland.

Research from University of Strathclyde also reveals that Scotland has work to do to catch up with the UK in key productivity indicators. These challenges are only exacerbated by a critical shortage of skilled labour in welding and fabrication, with over 50% of UK welders set to retire by 2027, leaving 35,000 roles unfilled.

Funded by the Scottish Government through the Tay Cities Region Deal, TCEP is working in collaboration with SMAS to bridge this gap by creating stronger ties between innovation and industry. Their collaborative event showcased not just the possibilities of collaborative robots (cobots) but the necessity of engaging businesses in moving beyond a "wait and see" approach to embracing innovation and technology in order to secure the future of Scottish manufacturing.

To ensure Scotland is not left behind in the global race for productivity, the manufacturing sector needs to tackle labour shortages, productivity gaps, and rising international competition. TCEP and SMAS want to support businesses with this transition ensuring they have the tools and knowledge to be resilient and competitive, by addressing their misconceptions about automation, alleviating fears and demonstrating its potential to create a robust, skilled workforce ready for the challenges of tomorrow.

Attendees were introduced to lean principles which can optimise operations and reduce waste, before witnessing firsthand how cobots are transforming traditional manufacturing through a live demonstration of robotic welding, showcasing their ability to eliminate the "3Ds" of manual labour—dull, dirty, and dangerous tasks.

With a pressing shortage of skilled workers, cobots offer Scottish manufacturers a practical and collaborative solution, enabling continuous operation and increasing throughput. Yet, as event speakers pointed out, this doesn’t eliminate the need for skilled workers - in fact, it often creates more demand further down the production line where human expertise is irreplaceable.

Addressing this demand, SMAS Specialist, Gordon Anderson emphasised that urgent action was needed: "This is a global movement, and as an economy, we need to wake up to the opportunities automation brings. While businesses may feel nervous about these changes, this technology is not about replacing jobs but creating efficiency, productivity and new opportunities. Scottish Enterprise has a focus on productivity as part of its missions approach and is supporting companies to invest in capital growth as well as areas such as AI, leadership and automation to boost productivity and Scotland’s economic rankings."

“Many business owners worry that automation will replace jobs but what we see is the opposite,” explained Helen Ritchie, TCEP Manager.

“Automation creates a ripple effect; by adopting innovative technologies, companies are able to produce higher-quality products, improve productivity, remain competitive in the global market, and this generates demand for safer, higher skilled roles with greater job satisfaction."

The integration of automation was presented as a means to empower businesses to innovate and grow, driving economic benefits, particularly for the Tayside region. As manufacturing becomes faster, cheaper, and more efficient globally, adopting such technologies is essential to avoid being left behind.