UK retailers, brands and manufacturers came together to explore how automation and robotics could enhance existing UK manufacturing capacity, as part of an initiative through the sustainable manufacturing focus of the Circular Fashion Innovation Network (CFIN).

UKFT worked with the Robotics Living Lab (RoLL), part of Manchester Metropolitan University, and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) to demonstrate new technologies and explore how robotic processes, collaborative robots and agile tooling could be adopted within micro or SME factory settings here in the UK.

The event was held at MTC in Coventry in May, and attended by brands and retailers including Stella McCartney, Mulberry, Vivienne Westwood and the Pentland Group (Berghaus, Speedo, Ellesse and more). UK manufacturers and suppliers were represented by leaders from businesses including AE Sewing Machines and the British Footwear Association, through to Fashion Enter, MAES London, Self Made Studios and LLUK.

Lauren Junestrand-Leal, Innovation and Sustainability Network Manager at UKFT, said: “Many retailers, brands and manufacturers aren’t aware of the current and future developments in automation and robotics for fashion and textile manufacturing, but they see the potential. Adopting this type of technology could unlock the potential for UK reshoring, and upskilling and decarbonisation in manufacturing settings, with a  focus on high-value, low-volume manufacturing. We were delighted to bring together key players in this field for a day of discussion and collaboration to explore these opportunities together.”

The event was part of CFIN, co-chaired by UKFT and the British Fashion Council, and funded by Innovate UK, Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) & Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). It has six key areas of focus:

• Recycling Infrastructure
• Sustainable manufacturing
• Circular business models
• Novel technology
• Diverse and future-proof workforce
• Green growth

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT UKFT’S WORK IN INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY