Automate UK has announced the structural evolution of its core trade bodies — the PPMA Panel, the British Automation and Robot Association (BARA), and the UK Industrial Vision Association (UKIVA) — bringing them together under a single, streamlined brand identity.

To create a more cohesive presence across the industrial landscape, the organisations have officially been renamed:

• Automate UK Processing & Packaging Committee (formerly the PPMA Panel)
• Automate UK Robotics Council (formerly BARA)
• Automate UK Vision Committee (formerly UKIVA)

This realignment simplifies how members, manufacturers, and end-users engage with the organisations representing processing and packaging, robotics, automation, and industrial vision technologies in the UK, providing a powerful, unified voice for the sector.

Marking milestones and expanding horizons

The unification coincides with a major industry milestone: BARA’s 50th anniversary, marking half a century of dedicated representation for the UK’s robotics and automation sector.

Dan Thombs, CEO of Automate UK, commented on the rebrand: “The decision to unify these bodies within the Automate UK fold coincides with BARA’s 50th anniversary, marking half a century of representing the UK’s robotics and automation sector.

“We remain committed to uniting our core membership in processing and packaging with a whole spectrum of industries across the machine vision, automation, manufacturing and robotics sectors via our exhibitions, events, collaborations and government initiatives, and are currently looking at developing the Automate UK Robotics conference and Automate UK Vision conference to strengthen our links within both sectors.”

Leadership perspectives on industry impact

Chairs across the newly designated committees have welcomed the transition as a vital step toward supporting the broader manufacturing community:

Rosie Davies, chair of the Automate UK Robotics Council, stated: “We believe that this is a positive move to create a collective to support the entire manufacturing spectrum.”

Simon Hickman, chair of the Automate UK Vision Committee, added: “The intention is that by uniting to present one strategic voice for the industry, we will bring manufacturers closer to the automation community and giving them a stronger voice in industry discussions.”

Greg Przybylik-Harper, chair of the Automate UK Processing & Packaging Committee, concluded: “By creating one unified presence, we aim to make a difference to everyone working across all the industries we support in order to help shape the future direction of UK manufacturing.”

Continuing core sector support

While operating under the consolidated Automate UK banner, all three constituent bodies will maintain their dedicated focus on their respective sectors. They will continue to provide essential industry standards, technical guidance, specialised training, robust representation, and continuous opportunities for growth.