The IT/OT gap in manufacturing: who owns the link between the office and the plant?

by Hale Engineering | Oct 29, 2026 | Industrial Automation Insights

This article is for operations directors, engineering and plant managers at UK manufacturing sites, and for the business owners accountable for keeping production running. Most sites now connect production equipment to the business network for data and remote...

The 5 most common mistakes in control system upgrades (and how to avoid them)

by Larysa Hale | Dec 2, 2025 | Industrial Automation Insights

Modern plants depend on automation that works flawlessly — but when it’s time to upgrade, many organisations underestimate just how complex, high-risk, and interdependent their control systems really are. A PLC or SCADA upgrade isn’t just swapping hardware. It affects...

PLC Health Checks and Upgrades: How to Know When It’s Time to Repair or Replace

by Larysa Hale | Nov 4, 2025 | Industrial Automation Insights

In industrial operations, a well-maintained PLC system is the difference between smooth production and unexpected downtime. But as systems age, even the most reliable controllers can develop issues that impact safety, efficiency, and performance. Yet for many small...

Top 7 Causes of PLC Communication Failures (and How to Prevent Them)

by Larysa Hale | Oct 7, 2025 | Industrial Automation Insights

When a programmable logic controller (PLC) stops communicating correctly, production doesn’t just slow down—it stops. Communication faults are among the most common yet costly issues in automated environments, often masking deeper system vulnerabilities. At Hale...

From Innovation to Integration: What Siemens’ 3D Scanner Means for UK Manufacturing

by Larysa Hale | Sep 10, 2025 | Industrial Automation Insights

The manufacturing world is no stranger to transformation, but every so often, a technology comes along that sets a new benchmark. Siemens’ latest innovation, Optimize MyProgramming /3D Scanner, unveiled at EMO 2025, is one such leap forward. It promises to redefine...

AI in manufacturing: why 95% of manufacturers are investing – and how Hale Engineering helps UKk industry

by Larysa Hale | Aug 26, 2025 | Industrial Automation Insights

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future vision—it’s already transforming how factories operate. According to the State of Smart Manufacturing Report by Rockwell Automation, 95% of manufacturers are investing in AI in manufacturing or planning to do so within...