April 2026

A major new study from the London School of Economics and Political Science is challenging one of manufacturing’s longest-held fears: that automation destroys jobs. Instead, the evidence suggests the opposite – that investment in technologies such as CNC machines and industrial robots is not only boosting productivity, but actively increasing employment across British factories.

Banelec, the Brierley Hill-based electrical control systems & automation integration specialist, has successfully completed a major £500,000 contract for a fan case lifter designed for a global aerospace OEM, marking another significant milestone for the West Midlands manufacturer.