The ‘factory of the future’ offers a new manufacturing blueprint; 3D printing and ‘reshoring’ counter supply chain risks; industry steels itself for the ‘net zero’ emissions challenge; and investors jumpstart battery funding

• 3D printing and ‘reshoring’ offer limited protection to supply chains

  Manufacturers are looking to avoid bottlenecks caused by disrupted delivery of key components

  
• ‘Factory of the future’ offers new blueprint for manufacturers

  Robotics and data analytics can make processes more efficient, less energy-intensive, and less expensive

  
• Skills shortages demand ‘grow your own’ training approach

  Successful on-the-job learning staves off staffing problems and helps future-proof businesses

  
• Ceramic makers face up to dangers of EU carbon challenge

  Fragmentation of the energy-hungry industry threatens its ability to respond to environmental rules

  
• Investors jumpstart battery funding to plug clean energy gap

  Accelerating demand for electrical storage has generated a wave of large-scale ‘gigafactory’ projects

  
• Industry steels itself for challenge of ‘net zero’ manufacturing

  Supply chain resilience and meeting environmental targets top many business agendas