The partnership leverages the deep automation expertise REA Robotics has built over decades as a dedicated specialist in robotised solutions for a wide variety of industries including sheet metal bending. Its field-proven designs include complex, heavy-duty robotic handling lines, automated cells featuring massive multi-gripper robots, and use of advanced tracking systems used to synchronize robot and press brake.

Combining REA’s custom engineering capabilities with LVD’s bending process proficiency, fabricators will now have access to an unmatched, reliable, single-source automated bending platform capable of optimising any sheet metal manufacturing process.

“As automation continues to transform manufacturing and bending applications grow in complexity, we are meeting critical industry challenges with specialized automated solutions,” said Carl Dewulf, CEO of LVD Group. “REA is an ideal partner for the growth of our automated bending solutions, as a reputable, experienced bending automation integrator. Their expertise alongside LVD’s high level of bending know-how will help us bring to market the customized automated bending systems our customers want and need.”

Accelerated development of advanced bending cells

Together, the engineering and research teams will accelerate the development of advanced bending cells through tight integration of press brake and robot, control-interface synchronization, software validation, and system compatibility. Customers will benefit from rapid factory-floor deployment, improved production flexibility, a significantly optimized machinery footprint, and short installation times.

LVD will continue to engineer, develop and sell its Robotic Bending Systems (RBS) and LVD Robotic Solutions products, including the Ricobb cobot, as well as specialiaed profile bending systems.

Designed for those curious about how robots think, move and solve problems this interactive discovery day is perfect for beginners and will introduce them to the fundamentals of robotics and programming in a fun, supportive and practical environment. Students will explore how robots are designed, built and programmed to address real-world challenges, providing attendees with an introduction to robotics and programming, while developing their practical engineering and problem-solving skills.

Run on the same principles of NMITE’s pedagogy of hands-on learning, and led by Professor Alexandru Stancu, Professor of Engineering: Drones & Autonomous Vehicles, attendees will be able to experience some of what makes NMITE special, which has enabled it to become a sought-after university in just five years since it opened for students in 2021.

Professor Stancu said “I and my other engineering colleagues can’t wait to share some of our knowledge and expertise at this first-ever robotics discovery day. You’ll get hands on experience working with robotics hardware and code and by the end of the day you will have developed your confidence by taking your first steps into robotics, engineering and solving real-world challenges. who knows, it may turn out to be the first step in journey to becoming a robot engineer.”

In the morning session, attendees will learn all about building a robot including how to assemble a working robot from its component parts.  Attendees will explore the key elements of robotics, including sensors, motors and controllers and will understand how hardware works together to create an autonomous robot.

The afternoon session will focus on coding and navigation during which the basics of coding for robotics will be explained and then there is the opportunity to programme a robot to complete simple navigation challenges, testing, troubleshooting and improving the robot’s performance.

No previous coding or robotics experience required. Just bring your curiosity. Spaces are limited – so book early to avoid disappointment.

“Innovation is a core component of Delta’s corporate strategy. We consistently invest more than eight percent of our annual revenue in research and development. Design is a key aspect of this innovation strategy,” said Michael Mayer-Rosa, Senior Director of the Industrial Automation Business Group and Head of Intelligent Robot Systems (IRS) at Delta Electronics, EMEA Region.

“This award validates our team’s high standards in combining industrial robotics with a practical, safe, and efficient design. We are confident that the Delta D-Bot Robots, featuring industry-leading safety, efficiency, and practicality, will meet the demanding needs of our customers across a wide spectrum of applications.”

Delta first unveiled the collaborative robots series to the public in the spring of 2024. The series comprises six highly flexible models, each featuring six axes, payloads of up to 30 kg, and reach capabilities of up to 1,800 mm. The Delta D-Bot series also supports compatibility with OPC UA, PROFINET, EtherCAT, and Modbus TCP, allowing for seamless integration into existing industrial automation environments.

Safety at the core of product design

Collaborative robots are specifically designed to interact with humans within production environments. The “Reflex Safety” technology detects contact in real time and immediately stops robot movement to help prevent accidents and protect both personnel and equipment. The integration of advanced sensing technologies and collision detection capabilities maximise safety.

Furthermore, the Delta D-Bot series complies with IP66 protection standards and supports advanced safety protocols for operation in demanding industrial environments. Its robust design reduces susceptibility to dust and contamination while also simplifying cleaning and maintenance.

Flexible automation for production and logistics

Combined with Delta’s mobile robot platform (MAR – Mobile Autonomous Robot), the Delta D-Bot Collaborative Robot forms the hybrid mobile robotics solution “Delta Dynamic Duo”, a 2-in-1 system that automates flexible transportation and manipulation tasks such as palletising or pick-and-place operations within manufacturing and logistics settings.

The Delta D-Bot series was developed for rapid deployment across a wide range of industrial environments and designed to support diverse applications, including complex component assembly, material handling, and heavy-duty palletising. The collaborative robots combine high precision with efficient automation, helping manufacturers improve productivity and operational flexibility.

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The achievement recognises the Bedfordshire-based manufacturer’s continued international growth, engineering innovation and commitment to supporting customers worldwide.

Exporting now represents a significant proportion of Endoline’s business, with its end-of-line packaging automation systems installed in more than 30 countries through a combination of direct customer relationships, distributor partnerships and OEM collaborations.

Founded in 1981, Endoline has grown from a small packaging machinery manufacturer into a global supplier of advanced end-of-line automation systems. Today, the company designs, manufactures and installs bespoke packaging solutions for manufacturers across the food, beverage, pharmaceutical and consumer goods sectors.

Andrew Yates, Managing Director of Endoline Automation, said: “We are delighted to have been named Gold Winner in the Exporter of the Year category and to have secured a place in the national finals. Exporting has been a key part of Endoline’s growth for many years, and this recognition reflects the dedication of our employees, distributors, partners and customers around the world.

“As a family-run business, we are proud to be designing and manufacturing British-built automation systems that are helping manufacturers across the globe improve efficiency, productivity and sustainability.”

The award follows another successful year for Endoline’s export division, which continues to expand its international distributor network, develop innovative packaging technologies and support customers in more than 30 countries worldwide.

Yet while the results reveal a sector that sees robotics and autonomous production as the key priorities, the survey also uncovered that for the greatest commercial edge, these technologies must interconnect rather than be deployed in isolation.

The findings come following a recent poll of more than 100 engineering and manufacturing professionals who were asked where they believe industrial automation investment will deliver the greatest competitive advantage for their business over the next five years.

Robotics and autonomous production topped the poll at 41%, followed by smart/connected factories at 33%. Meanwhile, AI-driven predictive maintenance was selected by 14%, and sustainability-focused investment completed the picture with 12%.

Respondents also highlighted that these four investment areas are deeply interconnected. Several pointed to the role of data and AI as an essential layer that underpins the value of every other investment, from enabling predictive maintenance that tackles unplanned downtime to making connected factories genuinely intelligent rather than simply networked. Others framed the four areas as a value chain, with each contributing to an overall reduction in total cost of ownership and linked the trajectory to the broader shift from Industry 4.0 into Industry 5.0 production environments.

The results highlight the continued pressure on manufacturers to increase output, improve efficiency and maintain flexibility while operating with leaner teams and tighter cost controls.

Daniel Coetzee, Vice President: Growth, Industrial Automation for IMI, comments: “What stands out from these results isn’t just that robotics leads the poll, it’s that several technologies need to work together to truly drive commercial benefits. Our customers are telling us that the competitive advantage won’t come from any single investment, but from the intelligence and connectivity built around it.

“That aligns with what we see across our customer base. The businesses making the most progress aren’t necessarily those making the largest capital commitments; they’re the ones taking a more targeted approach, using smarter components, better data and more connected systems to unlock meaningful, measurable gains from their existing operations. A good example is the impact of linking the performance insight produced by technologies such as sensors and actuators as part of an engineered system to the potential of AI to derive increased value from plant devices.

“For many industrial businesses, the opportunity isn’t a wholesale transformation, it’s about making incremental, well-judged improvements that compound over time. That’s where we see the greatest competitive advantage being built right now.”

IMI’s Industrial Automation sector works with customers globally to develop application-specific automation solutions that help improve productivity, efficiency and responsiveness, helping businesses realise the benefits of smarter automation without unnecessary complexity or disruption.

The strategic investment strengthens Comau’s position in a rapidly expanding market, projected to grow by approximately 13% annually over the next three to five years, where customers are increasingly demanding integrated solutions that seamlessly connect production, storage, and material flow.

Together with Automha, the addition of Invent broadens Comau’s ability to support the evolving requirements of distribution centres, fulfilment operations, and industrial logistics facilities with end-to-end automation capabilities. By leveraging Invent’s software-driven warehouse orchestration approach, Automha’s automated storage technologies and Comau’s automation expertise, the companies will be able to deliver increasingly intelligent and connected intralogistics solutions. Where Automha primarily specializes in pallet handling and automated storage systems, Invent brings advanced expertise in box handling, order fulfilment and logistics orchestration, enabling Comau to offer a robust, comprehensive intralogistics portfolio.

As supply chains become more dynamic and order fulfilment requirements continue to increase, companies are looking for technologies that can improve visibility, responsiveness, and operational efficiency. The combination of Comau, Automha and Invent creates a comprehensive portfolio capable of managing end-to-end material flows, from automated storage and order preparation through execution, movement, and process optimisation.

The acquisition also enhances Comau’s footprint in strategic growth regions. In addition to strengthening the company’s presence in Latin America, Invent provides valuable access to the U.S. mid-market intralogistics segment, where demand for automation solutions continues to accelerate (up to 15% annual growth in the US; up to 17% in Brazil over the next 3 to 5 years).

Invent will continue to operate with its existing organization, leadership team and strategic direction, ensuring continuity for customers, partners and employees while benefiting from the scale and global reach of the broader Comau ecosystem.

Pietro Gorlier, CEO of Comau said. “Our acquisition of Invent represents another milestone in Comau’s journey to build a comprehensive automation platform capable of supporting customers in one of the most dynamic segments of the logistics market – a market that is also undergoing a profound transformation driven by digitalization, e-commerce growth and the need for greater operational flexibility. Integrating Invent within our global network allows Comau to expand its market presence while adding highly complementary technologies and software expertise, strengthening our ability to deliver intelligent, end-to-end solutions connecting manufacturing, warehousing, and material handling operations.”

“This new chapter allows us to accelerate the development and deployment of our technologies while maintaining the innovative spirit and customer focus that have characterized Invent since its foundation,” added Leonardo Araki, CEO of Invent. “By becoming part of Comau, we gain access to global resources, industrial expertise and new market opportunities that will help us further enhance our solutions and create additional value for customers operating in increasingly complex logistics environments.”

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EUROPAMA, (the Processing & Packaging EU Federation) has been founded as the European umbrella organisation for the processing and packaging machinery industry. The federation unites leading national trade associations to advocate for the sector’s interests with EU institutions, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange in relation to industrial policy, sustainability, and technological transformation.

Created with the intention of providing a stronger collective voice and influence at a European level, the federation was established at Interpack 2026 in Dusseldorf by Automate UK alongside founding members VDMA (Germany), UCIMA (Italy), Evolis (France), AMEC (Spain) and Swissmem (Switzerland).

EUROPAMA aims to use its voice to address a wealth of core issues including sustainability regulations, Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), industrial competitiveness, automation and robotics policy and trade and manufacturing policy at a time when regulation and AI are reshaping the landscape of manufacturing. EUROPAMA will assist its members in dealing with new regulations so that they in turn can support their own membership.

Dan Thombs, Chief Executive Officer at Automate UK, said: “The creation of EUROPAMA marks a significant milestone in strengthening ties between British and European manufacturing innovation communities. With two thirds of all machines worldwide being made in Europe, it leads the future of processing and packaging machinery and is uniquely placed to align industry leadership with EU policy priorities whilst driving productivity and growth within the sector.

“Post-Brexit, it is vital that UK automation and packaging machinery businesses retain influence over regulations that affect European supply chains and exports, and it is our intention that in collaborating with our partners within Europama, our members will have a place in the discussions despite the UK no longer being an EU member.”

Scott McKenna, Chief Operating Officer, added: “Automate UK has evolved in recent years, proving itself to be far more than an events organisation committed to supporting the manufacturing and automation sector and increasingly cementing its position as a policy and productivity body.

“The establishment of EUROPAMA represents our continued commitment to ensuring that UK businesses remain firmly connected to European manufacturing innovation networks.

“By creating stronger links between European automation and packaging machinery associations, we can in turn help members navigate increasing regulation and sustainability requirements, and provide them with the access, insight, and relationships they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive global marketplace,” he added.

EUROPAMA will offer member organisations access to a wide network of European counterparts, industry intelligence, regulatory guidance, and opportunities to participate in trade events across the continent.

Combining autonomous forklifts, tugs and movers on one platform, ABB Robotics enables customers to automate a broader range of material-handling and intralogistics processes. Offering market-leading accuracy, the F712 is designed for demanding material handling, end-of-line storage and warehouse operations across industries including automotive manufacturing, helping increase efficiency, flexibility and scalability.

“Across intralogistics operations, businesses are being asked to process greater volumes in less time, while working with increasingly limited resources,” said Marc Segura, President, ABB Robotics. “They are under pressure to move goods faster and with greater flexibility, while labour availability is becoming a critical constraint. As part of our journey to more autonomous and versatile robotics (AVR), we have combined advanced vision, mobility and intelligence in the Flexley Stack F712 forklift AMR, completing our scalable, AI-powered AMR portfolio.”

F712 is versatile, capable of handling multiple load types and sizes – including open and closed pallets, containers or racks- up to 2,000 kg and reaching heights of 8.5 metres.

The Flexley Stack AMR F712 joins the Flexley Tug and Flexley Mover in ABB Robotics’ growing Visual SLAM AMR portfolio. Applications include intralogistics tasks such as warehouse storage and retrieval, as well as line supply, end-of-line handling, body- and press-shop and drive-in and light buffer in the automotive and industries sector.

F712 uses Visual SLAM to map and navigate its environment, eliminating the need for pre-installed infrastructure like markers or reflectors. The AI-enabled Visual SLAM supports the autonomous decisions required to operate in complex, dynamic warehouse operations with a market-leading positional accuracy of ±10 mm. Together with AMR Studio, this shortens commissioning times by up to 20 percent and creates a versatile and reliable system that can adapt instantly when a warehouse or production floor layout changes. Certified to the latest ISO and ANSI safety standards, Flexley Stack F712 can safely operate at class-leading speeds of up to 1.7 m/s while loaded.

F712 is fully integrated with AMR Studio and is VDA5050 compatible, enabling seamless integration with ABB Robotics’ Visual SLAM AMRs and existing systems within a unified project. This makes it easy to manage complex projects and integrate different types of mobile robots. The no-code, drag-and-drop software suite supports rapid setup, fleet coordination, traffic management and real-time visualisation, allowing ABB Robotics’ tugs, movers and forklifts to operate together in the same layout for scalable turnkey automation projects.

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1. Getting started is straightforward with the right supplier

Installation, programming, and commissioning are legitimate considerations for first-time buyers. The answer is to choose a supplier like Intertronics that is an expert in adhesives first – one that can integrate the two disciplines and provide training to instil confidence in the operating team.

2. The return on investment can come quickly

ROI on dispensing robots can be achieved in as little as six months, and almost always within two years. Crucially, the time to value is immediate: from the moment a system is installed and running, the manufacturer benefits from improved throughput, reduced waste, and more consistent output.

3. Robots can be acquired at sensible costs

Entry-level dispensing robots start at around £6,000. A complete installation – including enclosures and ancillary equipment – typically comes in between £10,000 and £20,000. For a system that might run day in and day out across a production line, that is a modest outlay.

4. Performance can be proven before you commit

A good automated dispensing supplier will support trials before any purchase decision is made. Intertronics operates a Technology Centre in Oxfordshire where customers can visit and run their own processes on equipment they’re considering. This kind of evidence-based approach to the investment decision removes the guesswork entirely.

5. Robots are highly flexible assets

Modern dispensing systems are designed to be reprogrammed and redeployed. A system specified for one adhesive application today can be retooled for a different process tomorrow – sometimes with nothing more than a tooling change and a new programme.

6. Robots deliver value even when used selectively

Most users do not run their dispensing robots around the clock, and they do not need to. A robot deployed for a single shift, or brought into use for specific batch runs, still delivers the speed and consistency advantages that manual dispensing cannot match.

7. Robots improve health and safety

Safety enclosures are standard on dispensing robot installations. A 2026 IFR research paper shows that automation typically delivers a net improvement in workplace health and safety: fatality and injury rates across 18 EU countries fell by 4.3 per cent and 3.2 per cent respectively between 2011-2019.

8. Robots improve job satisfaction

The 2025 paper ‘Human factors in digital manufacturing technology adoption: a workforce perspective’ found that workers in manufacturing companies where digital manufacturing technologies (DMTs) have already been implemented reported increased skills, autonomy, and number of interesting tasks, as well as decreased fatigue levels, physical workload, and stress.

9. Robots create jobs

2025 research by Fang et al., published in Asia and the Global Economy, shows that increased industrial robot installation is associated with a reduction in unemployment. Competitive manufacturers grow, and growing manufacturers hire. Dispensing robots move people away from repetitive, chemical-adjacent tasks and into work that is more skilled, varied, and fulfilling, improving morale, staff retention, and often company performance.

10. Why wait?

Henry Ford put the underlying logic plainly: “If you need a machine and don’t buy it, then you will ultimately find that you have paid for it, but don’t have it.”

For manufacturers still running adhesive dispensing by hand, the case for automation is not about novelty or scale – it is about repeatability, waste reduction, and building a production process that holds up as volumes grow and products change.

Not every dispensing application justifies automation. However, for manufacturers facing increasing quality, throughput, or labour challenges, it is worth examining whether a dispensing robot could deliver measurable benefits.

ISO 10218:2025 is the updated industrial robot safety standard and will become mandatory for CE-marked products under the new European Machinery Regulation. The legal transition is expected around 2027, although weakness in European manufacturing demand and potential cost pressures on SMEs may push full implementation beyond this timeline. Unlike Europe’s binding CE framework, the equivalent US standard update is voluntary, though effective compliance remains commercially necessary.

Established global vendors are largely prepared, while mid-sized and emerging suppliers show notable gaps in their readiness. Once adopted, the new standard is expected to strengthen established vendors’ competitive position and increase market access risks for those suppliers that are less well prepared.

A regulatory transition is already underway

The regulatory picture is shifting in a clear direction. In Europe, the current legislative instrument, Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, will be superseded by Machinery Regulation EU 2023/1230 on 20 January 2027. However, the timing of one critical supporting step remains uncertain: the formal listing of ISO 10218:2025 in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). This is a prerequisite for the standard to obtain full legal effect under the new regulation. Once this process is complete, ISO 10218:2025 will become a mandatory requirement for market access in Europe.

Historically, when the 2011 edition of ISO 10218 was introduced, the harmonisation process and OJEU listing took more than a year to complete. If a similar timeline is followed, the 2025 revision sits close to the 2027 regulatory transition deadline, with the process still ongoing as of mid-2026.

In the US, the A3 Association and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) jointly released the updated safety standard R15.06-2025 in September 2025, aligning it with the international ISO standards. However, unlike the European framework, ANSI standards are voluntary consensus standards and do not represent legally binding market access requirements.

A market under pressure

The European robotics market is currently operating in a relatively subdued demand environment. The market experienced contraction from 2023 to 2025, constrained by a slowdown in the overall manufacturing industry, particularly the automotive sector. Industrial end-users have adopted a cautious investment approach and face ongoing cost pressures, particularly among small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs).

In the near-term, the safety standard update requires additional investment from robot vendors to achieve compliance. However, suppliers that absorb this transition effectively will be better positioned to serve an increasingly safety-conscious European customer base, particularly as demand recovers.

In the US market, the new safety standard is comparatively more flexible as a voluntary industry framework. However, major customers and system integrators often require ANSI/RIA compliance in procurement specifications, and regulatory bodies such as OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) may use it as a reference benchmark in enforcement. In practice, failure to follow these standards can still result in heavy penalties if an accident occurs, and, as a result, compliance is realistically necessary for vendors targeting the US market.

Although the US robotics market has shown signs of recovery since the second half of 2025, external pressures, particularly geopolitical tensions and high oil prices, continue to weigh on the pace of improvement. Within this environment, regulatory alignment and compliance efforts represent one of several operational considerations for market participants.

Preparedness varies sharply across suppliers

Our interviews with robot manufacturers reveal a clear divergence in readiness for the new safety standard:

• Established global vendors, including the major international players and leading collaborative robot brands, are well aware of the upcoming changes and broadly claim to be prepared for the new standard.
• Mid-sized and emerging suppliers show significant awareness gaps. Even some manufacturers based in Europe appear less prepared, with limited visibility into the specific requirements of ISO 10218:2025.
• Emerging Asian suppliers, particularly those from China entering or looking to expand in the European market, are notably less prepared. For many of these, compliance requirements and associated R&D costs represent a significant and underestimated barrier.

Uneven readiness will lead to new competitive dynamics

If ISO 10218:2025 is formally adopted in Europe ahead of the 2027 deadline, the compliance dynamic is likely to reinforce the market position of established global players, which have the resources and institutional knowledge to manage the transition. For newer Asian entrants, it creates a meaningful headwind at a time when many are investing heavily in European market expansion.

That said, broader weakness in European manufacturing demand and potential cost pressures on SMEs may push full legal transition beyond 2027.

In the US, the robotics market remains dominated by established suppliers such as Fanuc. The new safety standard is likely to add incremental pressure for emerging players, alongside existing challenges such as tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty, but it is not the sole determining factor. Overall, the standard update is expected to favour better-prepared, established vendors and further strengthen their market positions.

In our view, the direction of travel is clear. ISO 10218:2025 reflects improved safety requirements that are in the long-term interest of the industry and robot end-users. In Europe, it remains uncertain whether full legal transition will be completed by 2027, given subdued market conditions. However, once implementation occurs, suppliers that are well prepared will be positioned to benefit, while underprepared companies may face market access disruption. As a result, robot manufacturers and system integrators of all sizes should treat preparation as a strategic priority rather than a compliance afterthought.