Manufacturing Uncensored

Ep6: Meet the CEO driving UK Automation

Manufacturing Uncensored: Ep6
No safe answers. No PR.
We want the honest truth from our industry - even if it ruffles a few feathers.
Brought to you by  @theautomate-uk   and  @EngineersInsightApp .
This episode: Meet the CEO of Automate UK
Dan brings with him a breadth of knowledge from industry, holding senior positions in multiple well known manufacturers. He now heads up the Automate UK trade association, driving forward the message to industry that to compete with our global competitors, we must automate.
We get into:- What challenges are UK manufacturers facing- How does industry turn it around- How to compete with China- Do we need to inspire or hire- Life as a CEOand lots more!
🎧 You can also listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xHHzJltQJrWs7Iydb4Esu
HostsTom Flude, Co-Founder Engineers Insight, Chairman UK Automation Forum:https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-flude-engineersinsight/
James Causebrook, MD Grunwald & Chairman Automate UK:https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-causebrook-b8701161/
GuestsDan Thombs, CEO Automate UK:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-thombs-a139041aa/
Looking for Events this year?There's a big one to visit this summer!Smart Manufacturing Week at the NEC sees around 13,500 of your peers through the doors! Come and see for yourself, June 3rd & 4th!Here's how to join us, for free: https://forms.reg.buzz/smw-splash-2026?utm_source=EngineersInsight&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=SMW26

Ep5: Apprenticeships - A missed opportunity?

Manufacturing Uncensored: Ep5
No safe answers. No PR.
We want the honest truth from our industry - even if it ruffles a few feathers.
Brought to you by Automate UK and Engineers Insight.
This episode: Apprenticeships - A missed opportunity?
Everyone talks about the skills gap.
But what does it actually feel like coming into the industry as an apprentice?
We sit down with two apprentices, Tobi Garrett and Kathryn Ray, to talk about what’s really going on at the start of engineering careers.
Not the corporate messaging - the reality.
We get into:
What it’s actually like being an apprentice in UK manufacturingWhether apprentices are getting real support - or just expected to get on with itThe gap between what industry says… and what young engineers experienceThe fear of a skills gap when experienced engineers are retiringMoney, confidence, and figuring things out early
If you think the skills gap is just about hiring more people… you’re missing the bigger picture.
You can find the video episode here:
https://youtu.be/LJHkka0mEP4
HostsTom Flude, Co-Founder Engineers Insight, Chairman UK Automation Forum:https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-flude-engineersinsight/
James Causebrook, MD Grunwald & Chairman Automate UK:https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-causebrook-b8701161/
GuestsTobi Garrett, Validation Technician Apprentice,  @DominoPrintingUK :https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobi-garrett-74b41a310/
Kathryn Ray, Software Engineering Degree Apprentice, Jenton Ggroup :https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-ray-6a974b2b0/
Looking for Events this year?There's a big one to visit this summer!Smart Manufacturing Week at the NEC is the main stay in our calendar, along with 13,500 others! June 3rd & 4th!Here's how to join us, for free: https://forms.reg.buzz/smw-splash-2026?utm_source=EngineersInsight&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=SMW26

Ep4: Machine Vision – Competitive Edge or Wasted Potential?

Manufacturing Uncensored: Ep4
No safe answers. No PR.
We want the honest truth from our industry - even if it ruffles a few feathers.
Brought to you by Automate UK and Engineers Insight.
 
This episode: Machine Vision – Overhyped or Underused?
Machine vision has been around for decades.
So why is the UK still lagging behind in automation, productivity, and global competitiveness?
We sit down with Allan Anderson, Managing Director of ClearView Imaging and past Chair of the UK Industrial Vision Association, to talk about what’s really going on inside UK manufacturing.
Not the sales pitch - the reality.
We get into:Truth behind building and leading businessesWhy machine vision still isn’t being used to its full potentialThe impact of automotive slowing down on the wider vision industryWhy projects fail - and where it actually goes wrongThe gap between what’s sold… and what actually works on the factory floor
If you think this is just about cameras and technology… you’re missing the bigger picture.
 
If you prefer to watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kKoiaXPMNjY
Subscribe to EngineersInsightApp and join the conversation.
HostsTom Flude, Co-Founder Engineers Insight:https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-flude-engineersinsight/
James Causebrook, MD Grunwald & Chairman Automate UK:https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-causebrook-b8701161/
GuestAllan Anderson, Managing Director Clearview Imaging:https://www.linkedin.com/in/allan-anderson-2583492/
Looking for Events this year?
To meet Automate UK or Engineers Insight in person, register for the MACH Exhibition (20–24 April 2026 at the NEC):https://register.visitcloud.com/survey/2r4yp3s9ljq9d?actioncode=MACH67
Automate UK stand: 18-742
Smart Manufacturing Week at the NEC is the main stay in our calendar, along with 13,500 others! June 3rd & 4th!Here's how to join us: https://forms.reg.buzz/smw-splash-2026?utm_source=EngineersInsight&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=SMW26

Ep3: ADHD:Performance or Excuse?

Manufacturing Uncensored: Ep3
No safe answers. No PR.
We want the honest truth from our industry - even if it ruffles a few feathers.
Brought to you by Automate UK and Engineers Insight.
This episode: Neurodiversity at Work - Performance or Excuse?
With it being Neurodiversity Week, we sit down with Ellie Kay to talk about what’s really going on inside businesses and how business leaders can better understand their staff.Not the corporate messaging - the reality.
We get into:Why “supporting neurodiversity” often changes nothingWhere leadership is getting it wrongThe gap between wellbeing talk and actual performanceAnd what happens when businesses label people instead of fixing systems
Plus - a raw moment where James shares his recent ADHD diagnosis.
If you think this is just an HR topic… you’re missing the point.
Subscribe to @EngineersInsightApp and join the conversation.
If you prefer to listen on the move:https://open.spotify.com/show/2xHHzJltQJrWs7Iydb4Esu
HostsTom Flude, Co-Founder Engineers Insight:https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-flude-engineersinsight/James Causebrook, MD Grunwald & Chairman Automate UK:https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-causebrook-b8701161/
GuestEllie Kay, Neurodiversity Workplace Specialist:https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliekayuk/
To meet Automate UK or Engineers Insight in person, register for the MACH Exhibition (20–24 April 2026 at the NEC):https://register.visitcloud.com/survey/2r4yp3s9ljq9d?actioncode=MACH67Automate UK stand: 18-742Engineers Insight stand: 6-641

Ep2: Integrator vs End User - Who's at fault?

Manufacturing Uncensored: Ep2.
No safe answers. No PR.
We want the honest truth from our industry - even if that upsets some of you.
Bought to you by Automate UK and Engineers Insight.
This time it's Integrator vs End User - Who's really at fault when projects fail and is there too much snake oil in Automation?!
Subscribe to  @EngineersInsightApp  and join the conversationIf you like to listen on the road, here's our spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xHHzJltQJrWs7Iydb4Esu
Hosts: Tom Flude, Co-Founder Engineers Insight: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-flude-engineersinsight/James Causebrook, MD Grunwald & Chairman Automate UK: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-causebrook-b8701161/
Guests: Martin Hurworth, CEO Bytronic: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinhurworth/David Hamilton, Engineering Consultant: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhamilton84/
To meet Automate UK or Engineers Insight in person, register for the MACH Exhibition 20th-24th April 2026 at The NEC, by clicking this link: https://register.visitcloud.com/survey/2r4yp3s9ljq9d?actioncode=MACH67
Automate UK stand: 18-742Engineers Insight stand: 6-641

Ep1: Cobots aren't the problem.

No safe answers. No PR.
We want the honest truth from our industry - even if that upsets some of you.
Bought to you by Automate UK and Engineers Insight.
Hosts: Tom Flude, Co-Founder Engineers Insight: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-flude-engineersinsight/
James Causebrook, MD Grunwald & Chairman Automate UK: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-causebrook-b8701161/ Guest:
Rosie Davies, MD Reeco Automation: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosie-davies-2a8524119/
 
To meet Automate UK or Engineers Insight in person, register for the MACH Exhibition 20th-24th April 2026 at The NEC, by clicking this link: https://register.visitcloud.com/survey/2r4yp3s9ljq9d?actioncode=MACH67 Automate UK stand: 18-742 Engineers Insight stand: 6-641