Known for supplying collaborative and mobile robots, RARUK Automation has a longstanding partnership with Teradyne Robotics’ company Mobile Industrial Robots and has achieved MiR Gold Partner status due to sales achievements in the UK. Nord Modules offers AMR top modules designed specifically for the Mobile Industrial Robots range, providing additional functionality such as lifting mechanisms, roller conveyors, carts and other accessories.

Nord Modules products are designed to optimise space utilisation and offer modular flexibility for companies looking to deploy AMRs. With Nord Modules, the transportation of totes or pallets between conveyors, racks and other pick-up/ drop-off zones is seamlessly accurate. The full range consists of Quick Movers, Lifts and Conveyors, which come with the option of adding integrated blue light and barcode scanners, as well as other accessories. 

The new collaboration between RARUK Automation and Nord Modules reflects a shared focus on making automation simple, scalable and flexible for real-world manufacturing applications. When investing in an AMR solution, customers will gain faster deployment and smooth integration between mobile robots and existing factory infrastructure by choosing Nord Modules’ proven, standardised top module equipment. 

"Our partnership with Nord Modules strengthens our commitment to delivering simple, scalable and fully integrated AMR solutions to UK manufacturers. By combining Nord Modules’ proven top modules with our expertise in Mobile Industrial Robots, we will be able to bring immediate, tangible value to our AMR customers,"  said Ross Lacy, sales director, RARUK Automation.

“We are very excited to partner with RARUK Automation, who are not only the sole MiR distributor in the UK but also hold MiR Gold Partner status. The UK is a high-priority market for Nord Modules, and RARUK Automation’s deep expertise in MiR and automation makes them an ideal partner for bringing our solutions to this market. With our top modules known for their superior quality and durability, and RARUK Automation’s strong local presence and technical expertise, we are confident this partnership will create real value for UK customers,” commented Frank Ib, CSO, Nord Modules.

www.rarukautomation.com

While 87% of manufacturing leaders and technical specialists report that ROI from their AIOps initiatives has met or exceeded expectations, only 37% say they are fully prepared to operationalise AI at scale. With 62% of AI projects still in pilot or development stages, and 90% of respondents agreeing that improving data quality is critical to AI success, the findings highlight a sector eager to leverage AI to streamline operations, reduce costs, and navigate increasingly complex global supply chains, yet still working to close the gap between ambition and enterprise-wide AI execution at scale.

As organisations in the manufacturing sector aim to advance their AI journey, there are several significant barriers hindering wide-scale adoption. While more than half (57%) of manufacturing organisations express confidence in their AI projects, and the vast majority agree that improving data quality is critical to success, persistent data quality challenges remain a central obstacle. Almost half (47%) lack confidence in the accuracy and completeness of their organisation’s data to be able to deliver the right outcomes, and only 34% rate their data as excellent for relevance and suitability. These gaps highlight a clear disconnect between leadership optimism and the technical realities of implementation.

“The manufacturing industry is investing heavily in AI to transform IT operations, and our survey results show that nearly nine in ten companies in this sector (87%) are already meeting or exceeding ROI expectations from their AIOps investments,” said Richard Tworek, Chief Technology Officer, at Riverbed. “However, many still face major challenges, including gaps in readiness and preparedness, as well as data quality issues which are hindering progress. As a data-driven company, we’re helping our manufacturing customers close these gaps with safe, secure and accurate AI built on high-quality real data; delivering practical AI-powered solutions that enable organisations to scale AI across the enterprise.”

Amid changing processes and varying priorities, manufacturers have pursued an array of IT tools to support shifting goals. The research found that, on average, organisations in this industry currently use 13 observability tools from nine different vendors. In response, 95% of manufacturers are consolidating tools to cut down on sprawl in an effort to reduce costs, streamline operations, and optimise efficiencies across IT operations. Vendors will be well-served to continue exploring their tools’ capabilities, with 91% of manufacturing organisations considering new tools as they look to consolidate. The top capabilities and drivers manufacturing leaders are actively considering when consolidating tools include enhancing tool integration and interoperability (48%), reducing vendor management overhead (47%), and improving IT productivity (46%).

With AI and remote work set to transform manufacturing organisations worldwide, the survey found enthusiasm for unified communication tools and their integration into operations.

• The research revealed that 42% of employees use UC tools throughout their work week and 66% of manufacturing respondents say that these tools are essential to operating effectively on a weekly basis.
• Despite growing adoption, these tools still have significant room for improvement. Less than half (45%) are satisfied with UC tools’ performance, and 42% of manufacturers report experiencing issues with video calls, messaging platforms, and more.
• The top three challenges organisations face with UC tools include limited visibility (51%), dropped calls (42%), and integration challenges with other enterprise systems (38%).

Manufacturing leaders surveyed also report their views on OpenTelemetry (OTel) and its place within their organisation. The research found that 44% have fully implemented OTel, with a further 42% adopting it, and overall, 97% agree that cross-domain OpenTelemetry correlation is critical to their observability strategy. The vast majority (93%) say that OTel is a foundation for future initiatives such as AI-driven automation and 37% cite that OTel is already a mandate in their organisation, indicating a substantial interest in this technology.

With data already identified as a key factor to critical success in the implementation of AI initiatives, 91% of manufacturing respondents cited the movement and sharing of data as important to their organisation’s overall AI strategy, with 31% stating it’s critical and foundational to how they design and executive AI. To further support AI initiatives, 75% of manufacturing respondents plan to establish an AI data repository strategy by 2028.

Respondents also confirmed their top three considerations when enabling their organisation to move and scale data effectively were:

• Network performance and ability (96%)
• Cost of data movement and storage (94%)
• AI model proximity to data, and interoperability between environments (both 93%).

Additionally, as manufacturing organisations strive to stay competitive, ensuring superior network efficiency and robust data security is a top priority, as 79% report that network performance and security are essential to their AI strategy.

Find out more about how organisations are overcoming gaps and navigating AI adoption and implementation by viewing the full report at:

www.riverbed.com/aiops-survey25/
 

The plan also focuses on how AMUK can help turn the UK’s R&D strength into economic growth and sovereign capability whilst establishing the UK as a world leader in the development, adoption and application of 3D printing and additive manufacturing technology.

Additive manufacturing has enormous potential to transform the way parts and products are designed and produced. This is the core reason why AMUK supports its members and the wider UK industry across the entire AM value chain, whilst also educating potential users about the opportunities this technology offers. The additive manufacturing industry delivers many benefits, such as reduced material waste, greater efficiency and lower production costs for small-batch manufacturing. This reduces the environmental impact of manufacturing, making parts and products more sustainable.

Additive manufacturing has already had a significant impact on high-value manufacturing sectors, including aerospace, space, automotive (including motorsport), energy generation equipment, defence, rail, marine, consumer goods (sport, leisure, jewellery), general industrial products, health, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.

Joshua Dugdale, head of AMUK, said: “Our plan highlights challenges that we must address in order to accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing technologies. Together with our members, we have identified supply chain, skills and standards as the top three challenges, which we will tackle during this year, as these are crucial areas impacting the AM industry.”

The global AM market grew to $21.9 billion in 2024, but despite this global growth, the value of the UK’s own market contracted, with its global share falling by approximately 4%. Last year's figures are not available yet, but they are expected to be about the same, with AMUK members reporting tough trading conditions. However, the market is showing some signs of recovery in the early part of 2026, which is why AMUK is determined to provide its members with an opportunity to achieve their portion of the UK’s potential of capturing a 7% market share, which could be valued at nearly $5 billion by 2030.

The AMUK Annual Action Plan provides a valuable roadmap for the development and growth of additive manufacturing in the UK. With a focus on collaboration, innovation and investment, the UK could become a leader in this exciting and rapidly evolving field.

To download the report, please visit:

additivemanufacturinguk.org.uk/amuk-strategy/

Developing a rotary interface with graphical display typically requires significant engineering effort across multiple disciplines, including encoder sensing, firmware architecture, GUI rendering, mechanical integration, and environmental sealing. These challenges can add months of development time and introduce substantial project risk. DRAGONEYE removes this barrier.

Built on the STM32U5 microcontroller and optimised for circular touch displays and rotary interactions, the platform provides developers with a ready-to-use environment for rapidly creating functional MVPs while maintaining a direct path to production through Anders’ engineering and customisation services.

At the heart of the platform is a newly developed IP65-rated brushless rotary encoder, engineered in-house by Anders specifically for sealed industrial HMI applications, featuring sealed high-resolution IP65 construction for harsh environments, a high-resolution 2.1” IPS-TFT display, contactless sensing for long-life, wear-free operation, integrated capacitive touch capability, haptic feedback support for tactile interaction, and the flexibility to be customised for different display sizes.

Together, the STM32U5 development platform and Anders’ rugged rotary encoder deliver a ready-to-run solution for rapid development of robust, production-grade rotary HMIs.

DRAGONEYE leverages the full STM32 development ecosystem, allowing engineers to use familiar tools, libraries, and software frameworks while accelerating GUI and application development.

The platform is designed not only for rapid prototyping but also as the foundation of a fully deployable production system, with Anders providing comprehensive customisation and optimisation services including application-specific PCB redesign and system integration, mechanical and enclosure adaptation, rotary interface material and finish customisation, firmware optimisation and tuning, as well as production scaling and full lifecycle support.

This enables customers to transition seamlessly from evaluation to a production-ready product manufactured by Anders.

www.andersdx.com

By making cutting forces, vibration, chatter and incut status visible as they occur, the solution helps teams stabilise performance, enhance part quality and consistency and reduce waste.

CoroTurn Plus combines sensorised tooling with two levels of digital capability. Used with CoroPlus® Viewer, it provides real time, passive insight to support operator decisions. Used with CoroPlus Connected, the same signals enable active, machine integrated protective actions within defined limits – helping users clearly distinguish between visualisation and automated response.

CoroTurn Plus streams live data from the cut to CoroPlus Viewer on a PC or tablet, enabling faster, data‑driven decisions and traceable continuous improvement. Live visualisation and reference processes support precise intervention when trends move outside defined limits. Operators receive over‑limit audible alerts, can hover to inspect values, and can review and flag deviations to accelerate root‑cause analysis. As tool‑condition signals accumulate, teams identify when an insert is approaching end‑of‑life and replace it at the right moment, extending tool life and avoiding unplanned downtime.

For machine‑integrated control, CoroTurn Plus connects to CoroPlus Connected, fully integrated with the machine’s NC. Users set limits on chatter, load and vibration in software or via NC code; if an unexpected event occurs, the control automatically initiates protective interrupt actions to safeguard components, tools and equipment. These actions are configurable by the end user. 

Feed‑rate and cutting‑speed override configurators enable in-process optimisation, while data tracked to component position strengthens diagnostics and continuous improvement. This autonomy lets the machine handle more routine decisions within configured boundaries, increasing effective operating hours, especially during unmanned evening or night shifts and reducing downtime across the day.

Industrialised features include automatic connect and disconnect from the bar, ready‑to‑machine system checks, start and stop of data recording and system‑unavailable messaging. By storing and documenting cutting data for each run, teams compare batch performance, red‑flag material deviations early and maintain end‑customer documentation and certificates for full traceability. Together, sensorised tooling, visual analytics and NC‑level integration turn raw signals into enforced limits and actions, making production steadier, safer and more consistent with fewer interventions.

“With CoroTurn Plus we visualise hidden behavior in the cut into clear signals, so teams can recognise material variation, tool wear and process instability as they happen,” said Åke Åxner, global project manager – machine integration at Sandvik Coromant. “In combination with CoroPlus Connected, the control makes protective decisions, stopping, retracting and resuming within defined limits, which reduces unplanned downtime and increases overall machine utilisation.”

“Sensorised tooling is the most practical bridge into more advanced automation because it turns raw signals into safe, machine‑enforced actions,” added Leland Bailey, Project Manager at Sandvik Coromant. “By capturing high‑resolution cut data and connecting it directly to the control, teams enable unmanned windows, reduce downtime, pinpoint insert end‑of‑life and institutionalise best practice, while clear, actionable visuals help operators at every experience level make safe, confident decisions.”

For the manufacture of high value components such as discs, casings, shafts, pumps and valves, CoroTurn® Plus provides unparalleled real-time insight into what’s happening right inside the cut. 

www.sandvik.coromant.com/en-gb

HOW DO you check the quality of 4000 rusk slices leaving a 200-meter-long oven line on a four-meter-wide conveyor belt every minute? You employ a staff of five, each with a keen eye and quick reactions who, for example, sort out slices that are too dark or lying on top of each other. That's how Bolletje in Almelo, Netherlands, did it for many years.

Or you can use a compact robot cell consisting of a camera, a four-axis Stäubli robot, and an AI-based IT platform – a concept that Bolletje has been using for several months now.

“We supply retail chains and are under high price and competitive pressures. At the same time, as a premium manufacturer, we set high quality standards for our products, and so do consumers. We can achieve both goals by automating inspection at the end of the oven line,” says Lo Huls, COO of Bolletje.

The company made contact with the solution’s supplier at a food industry event. As Lo Huls explains: “A colleague reported on a presentation about a very powerful product inspection system that uses robotics and vision AI, and suggested we take a closer look. QING Food Automation then presented this concept to us here, and we implemented it on one of our 15 oven lines.”

Compact and lean concept

One of the special features of this solution is that it can be deployed in a very small space. The cell occupies an area of just 1.8 m x 3.2m. The rusk slices are captured by a camera, the images are evaluated within milliseconds, and the Stäubli robot places the N.i.O. rusks on belts running to the right and left of the main conveyor belt. After a further conveyor section, the rusks are immediately packaged in the typical 140g units.

The compactness of the cell not only has the advantage of being easily integrated into existing lines, but as Lo Huls points out: “We can, and will, dismantle the system very quickly if necessary and install it on another oven line if, for example, the reject rate is higher there.”

What QING Food Automation has achieved here is already widespread in other industries, such as metal processing. Why not in food production? According to Bram de Vrught, managing director at QING, “In the food industry, and not only in industrial bakeries, we see a lot of variation. Each individual product is unique. This is why human labour predominates: staff who check the quality, manipulate, or sort. Automation is challenging, even more so today, as batch sizes become smaller. For this kind of application, we developed a robot-based food automation system with AI as an enabler.” 

Data captured and analysed

Data from the 100% inspection is analysed comprehensively. Lo Huls: “We record the type of irregularity and compare it with the plant data. This task is performed by our data analytics tool, which monitors all ovens and other process steps. This enables us to find the causes of quality defects and take countermeasures.”

Bram de Vrught explains how this works in practice: “The system makes the images, shifts them to the STAQ platform, and classifies the products and different defects. You see the results directly on the line and on your laptop. Based on them, we can train the AI. All in all, this system is very user-friendly, so companies can deploy it themselves and also scale the technology to other products or to new quality criteria.”

From the start of developing STAQ, which processes the image data, QING opted for four-axis Stäubli robots. “We always ask: What is the best solution for the specific task? In the case of handling, there are many factors to take into account: environment, accuracy, flexibility, and lifetime,” says Bram de Vrught. “A delta robot needs more space, so we would need a bigger frame. We wanted a compact system, but we also needed high speed. A very fast SCARA robot like the Stäubli TS2-80 performs best under these conditions.“

It goes without saying that the TS2-80 is available in an “HE” version, designed for high hygienic standards and regular cleaning with water and detergents, and that food-grade oil (H1) is used. In partnership with Stäubli, QING simulated and enhanced the robot’s performance. “Originally, we specced the system for 60 picks a minute, and in the test, we got a minimum of 80 slices that can be gripped and deposited on the N.i.O. conveyor belt. For this purpose, we designed a custom needle gripper,” says Bram de Vrught.

Using Stäubli’s VALtrack software proved advantageous here. It coordinates the robot’s movements with those of the conveyor belt, meeting an important prerequisite for the fast and precise gripping of rusks that are rejected. “We have integrated VALtrack into our STAQ framework,” Bram de Vrught adds.

The reason why the performance of the robot plays such an important role is obvious: “We could have engineered a system with two robots. But that would nearly double the price and space requirements, and due to the coordination of the robots, programming costs would more than double. Improving performance is a better business case. And the TS2-80 is still working in a green area [within its design limits], so we can expect a long lifetime with a minimum of service even in 24/7 mode.”

www.staubli.com

THE GLOBAL skills shortage, especially in key areas such as engineering, is well established. From critical infrastructure, including power and rail, to manufacturing, industries are wrestling with an ageing workforce, increasingly dated expertise and escalating compliance demands. Innovation is now imperative.

Technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Extended Reality (XR), are not only key to improving skill sets, enabling real-time collaboration and transforming engagement with the next generation, they are vital in transforming downtime into rapid asset recovery. Digital twinning is the foundation for transforming operational insight and responsiveness. These technologies are being advocated by both governments and the c-suite. They are also avidly embraced by the next generation looking for a more exciting workplace experience. With the right approach, organisations can quickly create an environment where skills are transferable, operational requirements are immediately understood and individuals can undertake any task, anywhere, at any time.

Productivity opportunity

The predicted shortfall of one million engineers by 2030 across the UK is a concern, threatening major infrastructure projects, such as HS2 as well as crucial infrastructure such as hospitals and utilities. Young, talented individuals are not attracted to industries still reliant upon dated technologies and dull career paths. They want and expect to use innovative technologies and have the chance to build skills in more than one job role. They are comfortable with AI and XR and relish the chance to collaborate virtually with AI avatars to get the job done.

At a top level in both government and business, leaders also want change. They are asking for innovation. They are demanding investment in digital transformation and AI. Indeed, the Government’s Industrial Strategy 2025 commits to ‘scaling up innovation and automation, with increased deployment of state-of-the-art technologies, industrial robotics, AI, digital twins and Internet of Things.’ Digital twinning will improve understanding of system performance against operational parameters and provide essential insight into day-to-day activity, delivering the next level of future proofing key for critical infrastructure. Furthermore, there are clear opportunities to embed augmented technology, including Extended Reality and AI, within every step of the RIBA Plan of Work, which provides a clear process for designing, constructing, operating and decommissioning building projects.  

Transforming operations

The foundations are in place. It is now imperative to evolve from a commitment to innovate and achieve tangible change. Training and career development is a vital step to improve the motivation and engagement of young talented individuals. Replacing outdated processes and archaic technology with AI and XR can quickly transform the engagement with digital natives, improving both performance and employee attraction and retention.

Bringing AI and XR together in day-to-day operations, has the potential to transform immediate operational productivity and, critically, create vital engagement with the next generation of engineers. Rather than the tortuous process of decoding fault messages or trawling through lengthy manuals, an AI-XR system can pinpoint the issue immediately for engineers. It can also suggest a fix and guide them through the repair with clear, visual step-by-step instructions. In sectors such as rail, nuclear, defence and aerospace, where every minute matters, speed and clarity can make a real difference by significantly reducing downtime.

What makes this approach particularly effective is the role of AI avatars as co-workers rather than replacements. Acting as collaborative assistants, AI avatars help to bridge the gap between training, maintenance and operations, areas that have traditionally been siloed and handled in isolation. By linking immersive learning with real-time operational data, the technology creates a continuous flow of knowledge that supports teams in any environment.

The shared visualisations enabled by augmented technologies completely change the learning experience. Individuals able to walk around, view and interact together gain enormous benefit from peer-to-peer experiences. They not only learn more quickly and gain confidence in embracing new tasks but also collaborate effectively to deliver tangible operational gains.

Future proofing

By supporting human expertise rather than competing with it, AI-XR helps to unlock corporate knowledge, enabling anyone to access the insight they need, exactly when they need it. These technologies allow individuals to embrace a diverse skill set, moving away from the traditional constraints of single role expertise, thus broadening the appeal to a younger generation.

Combining digital twins with AI-XR adds further benefits. Predictive maintenance alerts, real-time data visualisation, and holographic overlays enable early problem spotting, easing supply chain pressures and providing decision makers with continuous insight. The result is faster recovery, less disruption and greater resilience across critical infrastructure.

Looking ahead, the convergence of spatial computing, digital twins, and AI points to a future where complex processes are made simple and intuitive for those on the ground. By turning information into intelligent, spatial experiences, organisations can streamline efficiency, cut downtime and improve safety, empowering people to understand and operate entire systems, and not just individual components. 

Change is happening

The government is encouraging digital innovation. The c-suite increasingly recognises the power of new technologies to drive change. And, critically, a new generation of digital natives excited by AI and XR technologies is poised to replace the ageing and retiring workforce. This generation will have a new way of working, leveraging technology to do any role and work more efficiently, anywhere, anytime.

Organisations that commit to transformational change will gain both immediate improvement and create a foundation for long term success. Committing to digital transformation, including AI, XR and digital twinning, will not only improve productivity; it will also underpin sustainability goals, drive down costs and improve the essential recruitment and retention of digital natives.

Philip Pauley is CEO of PAULEY

pauley.co.uk

When handling bulky components like side-impact beams, precision and reliability are paramount. These long metal parts must be fed into automated cells repeatedly and with exact positioning, all within a compact footprint that aligns with existing factory space and workflow demands.

In this real-world example, two bespoke conveyor systems from the mk range were expertly configured to deliver a seamless solution. An SPU 2040 accumulating chain conveyor provides cycled delivery and buffering of up to twelve components, reducing reliance on manual intervention and keeping processes running autonomously. Meanwhile, a ZRF-P dual-lane timing belt conveyor completes the material flow with accuracy and consistency.

The clever use of modular mk technology ensures the system is not only space-efficient but also adaptable for future needs, all critical factors for manufacturers focused on long-term agility.

Whether you’re evaluating robotic integration or updating legacy equipment, this case study reveals practical insights into designing conveyor systems that improve throughput, reliability and overall operational efficiency.

AdaptTech is the sole UK and Ireland supplier of the UK conveyor range so get in touch to find out how they can help you achieve your manufacturing solution.

Read the full case study and discover how this solution works in detail at: adapt-tech.co.uk/conveying-car-parts/

AdaptTech is the sole distributor for mk conveyors in the UK and Ireland. Visit the company website now to find out more and to download a free brochure.

adapt-tech.co.uk

This collaboration expands Advantech's AI chipset ecosystem and introduces the company's first AI acceleration solution powered by DEEPX technology, the EAI-1961 series Edge AI Acceleration Module.

“Advantech evaluates a broad range of AI chip technologies to address diverse industrial needs,” said Joey Hsu, director of Advantech’s Embedded Sector. “DEEPX demonstrates commendable efficiency in power and thermal performance, which is essential for reliable edge AI deployment. By integrating DEEPX’s energy-efficient NPU with Advantech’s industrial hardware expertise, we aim to offer more optimized AI solutions for next-generation edge systems.”

The newly launched EAI-1961 series is Advantech's first product featuring DEEPX's DX-M1 NPU technology. Designed in the industry-standard M.2 form factor, the module delivers up to 25 TOPS of AI inference while supporting up to 4GB of LPDDR5 memory. Its highly energy-efficient architecture ensures stable thermal behavior even during heavy workloads, making it well suited for vision-centric applications such as robotic vision, intelligent surveillance, in-vehicle computing, and precision medical diagnostics.

"Advantech is the undisputed leader shaping the global industrial automation and embedded computing ecosystem," said DEEPX CEO Lokwon Kim. "This collaboration marks a defining moment for DEEPX as our technology moves toward becoming a global industrial standard. By leveraging Advantech's unparalleled worldwide network, we are ready to showcase the strength and competitiveness of DEEPX's AI chips on the global stage. The integration of our DX-M1 NPU into Advantech's platforms will empower customers with unprecedented AI performance and efficiency, enabling smarter, faster, and more sustainable edge applications."

By adding DEEPX to its expanding roster of AI technology partners, including Intel, Qualcomm, NVIDIA, Hailo, and Axelera AI, Advantech continues to deliver one of the industry’s most comprehensive portfolios of edge AI solutions. As edge AI becomes increasingly critical for applications such as predictive maintenance, quality inspection, real-time situational awareness, and adaptive robotic control, Advantech remains dedicated to providing ready-to-deploy platforms that help customers implement scalable, production-ready edge AI with confidence.

www.advantech.com

ON THE London Metal Exchange (LME), copper reached record territory in early January 2026, pushing above $13,300 per tonne. That’s more than 20 per cent higher than the late 2025 average as stock tightness and strong industrial demand combined.

That matters because copper isn’t just a metal you read about in commodity news. It’s used extensively in printed circuit boards, internal connectors and wiring, as well as across many power and signal paths in electronics. As a result, movements in copper pricing directly influence the cost of the boards and assemblies engineers design and build.

Precious metals are also impacting pricing dynamics. Gold recently surged above $5,000 per ounce, reaching a series of record highs in the first few weeks of 2026 amid market volatility and safe-haven demand. While gold isn’t in every bill of materials, it’s used in contact plating and specialist components where performance meets reliability.

Likewise, aluminium has traded firmly above $3,000 per tonne on global benchmarks and is forecast to remain well supported given current market dynamics. Even when commodity analysts suggest prices might ease later in the year, the near-term story is volatility, which introduces risk.

When inputs move

Engineers regularly buy copper foil, laminates and boards priced off copper’s movement. Over 2025 and into 2026, manufacturers of copper-clad laminate – the base material for almost all FR-4 boards – began issuing public price adjustments directly linked to rising raw materials.

Some supplier notices describe increases of up to 30 per cent across all thicknesses of copper-clad laminate and prepreg, driven by higher copper prices, glass cloth costs and processing expenses.

This is the kind of upstream movement that doesn’t stay upstream. It filters through every layer of a PCB quotation, especially in multi-layer designs where copper and prepreg content is higher.

The wider passive component landscape tells a similar story. Industry analysis shows price increases across capacitors, inductors, ferrite beads and related passives. These range from single digit to double-digit percentages for early 2026 deliveries, often citing metals and process cost inflation among the drivers.

This doesn’t mean you should panic buy every part in your current bill of materials (BOM). However, it does mean that the old “wait-and-see” strategy is getting riskier, particularly if you’re dependent on a single branded source for key sections of your design.

Alternative sourcing

Second sourcing is moving back into focus, not as a cost-cutting exercise but as a form of risk management. Pin-for-pin alternatives, for instance, allow engineering teams to maintain electrical and mechanical compatibility while reducing dependence on individual manufacturers, whose pricing or lead times may be more exposed to raw material volatility.

This approach is particularly effective for widely used regulators, discretes, interface devices and passives, where functional equivalence is well understood and validation cycles are manageable. As volatility increases, having approved alternatives already mapped can significantly reduce disruption when prices shift or allocations appear.

When suppliers combine local stock with extended inventory and effective cross-reference tools, response times improve. During a time of uncertain input costs, that flexibility is as valuable as unit price, provided performance remains consistent.

Prices might ease at some point, but it’s difficult to predict when. Volatility isn’t going away, and when raw material costs feed into electronics pricing, it’s the teams that design and source with flexibility in mind that are better positioned to respond when conditions change.

Chris Withers is sales director at Zel Components

zelcomponents.co.uk/