Barclays: 87% of UK manufacturers use automation to manage geopolitical disruption

Barclays research showed UK manufacturers leaned on automation to manage geopolitical risk, with 87% using robotics, operations, or storage automation.

Survey data showed 94% expected to prosper over the next 12 months, despite 89% citing energy costs as a constraint.

Longer-horizon planning increased, with 76% pushing major investment, sourcing, or supply-chain decisions further ahead than a year ago.

Client data comparing Q2 2026 vs Q2 2025 showed large manufacturers’ cash inflows fell 3.5% while loan balances rose 12.8%.

SME manufacturers’ cash inflows rose 1.4% while average loan balances fell 17.7%, signaling a shift toward liquidity and resilience.