UK manufacturers are under growing pressure to improve productivity, reduce operational risk and address labour shortages, yet the UK continues to lag behind many global competitors on industrial automation adoption.

In response, industrial automation specialist iconsys has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Dutch robotics expert Tebulo Robotics to accelerate the deployment of advanced robotic automation solutions across UK heavy industry.

The agreement sees iconsys become Tebulo Robotics’ first UK integration partner, combining iconsys’ controls, automation and machine safety expertise with Tebulo’s decades of experience delivering robotic systems for demanding industrial environments.

After already working on UK automation projects independently for the same customers, there was clear benefit of taking a more collaborative approach. The companies are now already collaborating on a major automation project for a leading UK steel manufacturer.

The partnership will initially target sectors including metals, construction materials, pulp and paper, automotive and aerospace, where manufacturers are increasingly looking to robotics and intelligent automation to improve safety, consistency and operational performance.

Together, the companies will deliver robotic cell solutions for applications including automated destrapping and coil handling, blade coating, dross removal, and integrated marking and labelling systems.

The solutions incorporate advanced robotic systems, intelligent end-of-arm tooling, machine vision and sensing technologies, and fully engineered safety systems designed for harsh industrial environments.

Andy Bunce, Technical Sales Director at iconsys, explained:

“We recognised very quickly that there was a strong alignment between our businesses. Tebulo Robotics brings extensive expertise in advanced robotic applications for heavy industry, whilst iconsys provides the systems integration and machine safety capabilities needed to successfully deploy those technologies into complex manufacturing environments.

“UK industry has historically been slower to adopt robotics than many European competitors, but manufacturers are now facing increasing pressure around productivity, labour availability, safety and operational resilience.

“What makes this partnership particularly powerful is that every solution is engineered around the customer’s operational challenges. We are designing fully integrated robotic solutions that fit within existing production environments whilst improving safety, consistency and performance.”

As a technology-independent systems integrator, iconsys can support the integration of Tebulo Robotics’ technologies into both existing and new manufacturing environments, covering software, electrical systems, functional safety, mechanical guarding, installation and commissioning.

Founded in 1974, Tebulo Robotics has been involved in industrial robotics since the 1990s and now has more than 500 robotic systems installed across Europe.

Jeroen Baas, Account Manager at Tebulo Robotics, added:

“The UK represents a major growth market for advanced industrial robotics, particularly within heavy industry where manufacturers are increasingly looking to modernise operations and improve competitiveness.

“We have already seen how effectively our technologies and engineering capabilities complement the integration expertise within iconsys. This partnership gives UK manufacturers greater access to proven robotic technologies already delivering results across demanding industrial applications throughout Europe.”

For further information, visit www.iconsys.co.uk or www.tebulorobotics.com.