Five roundtable discussion sessions were held over the two days of the Manufacturing Digitalisation Summit. Delegates had the opportunity to select their preferred discussion topics in advance, ensuring that each 50-minute interactive session was focused on the challenges and opportunities most relevant to them. Hosted by a world-class manufacturer and technology expert, these sessions were designed for open Q&A and practical, peer-driven dialogue.
Discussion sessions were available across two tailored streams: the Enterprise Stream (for manufacturers with revenue over £100m) and the Growth Stream (for manufacturers with revenue up to £100m).
Digital transformation in manufacturing often promises seamless integration across ERP, MES, PLM, and frontline operations, but in reality, many organisations still face a disconnect between enterprise systems and day-to-day execution. This interactive roundtable will explore the practical challenges of implementing and integrating digital systems across the value chain. From aligning ERP with shop-floor processes to enabling real-time data flow and user adoption, the discussion will focus on what it really takes to bridge the gap between strategy and execution. Where digitalisation and integration efforts commonly break down and why.
Manufacturers face increasing pressure to improve productivity, resilience, agility, and cost performance while navigating workforce shortages, supply chain disruptions, rising energy costs, and sustainability demands. While many have invested in automation and digital technologies, the challenge is scaling digitalisation across operations and delivering measurable, factory-wide outcomes.
Success requires more than isolated initiatives. It depends on secure connectivity, real-time visibility, IT/OT integration, and data-driven decision-making, which enables AI and automation to operate effectively at scale.
This roundtable will explore how manufacturers move from fragmented efforts to connected, intelligent operations. It will focus on practical strategies to drive productivity, reduce downtime, improve quality, and strengthen operational resilience, while recognising Private 5G, Edge AI, and Industrial IoT as key enablers. The discussion will centre on leadership decisions and execution models that deliver lasting operational value.
Manufacturers are collecting vast amounts of data but many still struggle to translate it into meaningful action. This roundtable will focus on how to bridge that gap and drive better outcomes.
Supply chains are under sustained pressure from demand volatility, supplier risk, rising costs, and global disruption. As a result, manufacturers are embracing Supply Chain 4.0 – a more connected, data driven approach designed to improve visibility, agility, and resilience. This roundtable will explore how digital technologies such as integrated ERP platforms, real time data, and intelligent automation are enabling faster, more informed decision making across the supply network. Participants will discuss practical approaches to improving transparency, responding to disruption, and scaling operations without adding complexity, sharing real world experiences and lessons learned from modernising supply chain operations.
As manufacturers accelerate smart factory initiatives, one challenge continues to limit progress: operational data remains fragmented across shop-floor systems, enterprise platforms, and legacy infrastructure. While OT environments generate vast volumes of real-time machine and sensor information, turning that data into usable insight requires a secure and scalable way to connect it with IT systems. This roundtable explores how manufacturers can break down IT/OT silos to create a unified data foundation that improves visibility, strengthens decision-making, and supports more effective AI and automation at scale.
Digital twins are redefining the manufacturing landscape, shifting operations from reactive problem-solving to predictive, data-driven decision-making. By creating real-time virtual replicas of assets and processes, they unlock opportunities for enhanced efficiency, minimized downtime, accelerated innovation, and more resilient, sustainable operations. These advanced tools are paving the way for smarter, more connected, and adaptive manufacturing ecosystems.
Industry 4.0 promised smart operations, and traditional MES was supposed to get us there or at least partially! For many manufacturers, neither has quite delivered yet, not because the vision was wrong, but because the systems beneath it weren’t built to scale, adapt, or survive the gap between pilot and production reality.
And now there are three hundred vendors telling you they’re the answer. We’ll explore:
Wherever you are on this journey, come and share the road with manufacturers facing the same questions.
Operational Technology (OT) cyber risk is now a board-level concern for manufacturers, but confidence often outpaces real assurance. Drawing on frontline experience across defence and industrial environments, this roundtable will challenge participants to confront three critical questions:
We’ll explore the systemic issues that create a gap between executive reporting and operational reality: misaligned risk and compliance models, controls that don’t work on the shopfloor, and hidden dependencies across suppliers and partners. The discussion will focus on how leading organisations are closing that gap, moving from assumption-led governance to evidence-based assurance, and building resilient OT environments that genuinely protect production, compliance, and reputation.
Manufacturers are facing ongoing skills shortages while AI, digital technologies, automation, and evolving ways of working continue to transform operations. As roles change faster than traditional workforce models can support, manufacturers must rethink how they attract, develop, and retain talent for the future. This roundtable will explore how manufacturers are approaching reskilling and upskilling in practice, and which human capabilities remain essential as AI and technology plays a greater role across the organisation. Delegates will share practical experiences, workforce challenges, and lessons learned from preparing employees for a rapidly evolving manufacturing environment.
As digitalisation accelerates, manufacturers are increasingly managing a workforce that extends beyond people to include AI-driven tools and automation. This roundtable will explore how organisations are navigating this shift in practice, balancing efficiency, workforce capability, and operational complexity. To ground the conversation in emerging technologies, we will also consider what Agentic Driven ERP might look like as a potential component of this evolution.
Rather than focusing on theory, the discussion will centre on real-world experiences of integrating new technologies alongside existing teams, and the practical challenges of making this work effectively at scale.
Despite years of digital investment, many manufacturing frontlines remain constrained by paper processes, fragmented systems, and top-down tools that add compliance without empowerment. True frontline transformation goes beyond digitising forms, it reshapes how operators access information, make decisions, and contribute to continuous improvement. The challenge is shifting from “paperless” to people-enabled: delivering technology that genuinely amplifies capability, autonomy, and engagement on the shop floor.
AI is no longer optional for manufacturers, yet applying it effectively remains a challenge. In 2026, industrial, automotive, and aerospace firms face pressure to deliver measurable productivity gains using automation, machine learning, and emerging AI technologies. Many initiatives stall due to uncertainty around where to focus and how to translate innovation into operational results.This roundtable explores a practical, productivity-first approach, helping manufacturers move beyond experimentation to apply AI with precision, using data to identify constraints, prioritise opportunities, and deliver scalable impact without disruption.
For many manufacturing SMEs, digitalisation must deliver clear, near-term value while laying the foundations for future growth. This round table focuses on practical experiences, realistic prioritisation and how to turn digital ambition into operational impact.
Join peers to share insights, challenges and lessons learned from implementing digital strategies in real-world manufacturing environments, covering topics such as:
For growing manufacturers, the challenge is no longer generating product ideas but converting approved designs into reliable, cost-effective production quickly enough to scale. Manual RFQs, delayed manufacturability feedback, and fragmented supplier networks often slow decision-making, weaken margin control, and leave supply chains exposed. This roundtable explores where AI-enabled sourcing is helping manufacturers move faster, and where key operational bottlenecks still remain.
Automation can free up time, reduce errors, and improve consistency, even with limited budgets. The focus here is on identifying the right processes and scaling automation sensibly.
Alwayse Managing Director
Better decisions don’t always require complex analytics. Practical use of operational and business data can significantly improve performance.
Oxford Gene Technology Executive VP Operations
Technology investments only succeed when people are confident using them. Building digital capability across small teams requires accessible learning and strong leadership.
SubSea Craft Head Of Enterprise Systems & IT
