Automation control specialist Transicon has expanded its presence across the north of England as it forecasts increased investment in manufacturing digitalisation during 2026. The move comes as the company responds to growing demand from manufacturers looking to modernise ageing production systems.
The Telford based engineering firm works with manufacturers across sectors including aerospace, automotive, metals, plastics and environmental services. Its client base includes household names such as Muller, BMW and Tata Steel. As part of its regional growth, Transicon has appointed Laura Hayton as head of business development for the north.
Laura brings nearly 20 years of experience in the engineering industry and will provide direct support to manufacturers across northern England. Her role will focus on helping businesses innovate and modernise production lines as part of longer term digitalisation strategies.
The appointment follows findings from a recent Make UK report on manufacturing digitalisation. The report highlighted that the UK lags behind other countries globally, but suggested that closing the gap could add £150 billion to UK GDP by 2035. Transicon says this presents a significant opportunity for manufacturers willing to invest in technology upgrades.
Jennifer Hughes, General Manager at Transicon, said: “There’s a huge opportunity for manufacturers here in the UK and every day we see companies that are committed to digitalisation.
“The challenge is that bridging the gap between old systems and new technology is genuinely difficult and there are often multiple solutions making it difficult for businesses to know where to start – and that’s where we are looking to provide more support.
“We expect to see growth in the number of businesses investing in digitalisation throughout 2026 and beyond and Laura’s appointment will allow us to be far more pro-active in supporting these manufacturers and helping them find the right solutions to futureproof their production lines and drive greater productivity.”
In her new role, Laura will support manufacturers seeking to upgrade existing systems, including GM80 PLCs, implement mechatronics solutions and integrate modern technologies into established production environments. Her work will span both SMEs and global manufacturers operating across the north.
Laura said: “I’m really pleased to be expanding Transicon’s presence across the north supporting businesses that are committed to driving productivity through planned, strategic system upgrades rather than reactive maintenance.
“The reality for many businesses is they’re facing a triple challenge with ageing equipment, depleted spare parts supplies and fewer engineers who understand legacy systems. This combination creates significant operational risks for production facilities, but the hope is our team can work with manufacturers and help identify systems that can be modernised before they become business-critical.”
Alongside Laura’s appointment, Transicon has also created four additional roles across its engineering and sales teams to support rising demand for automation and control expertise.
Founded in 1967 and based at Queensway Business Park, Transicon has established a strong reputation for designing and manufacturing bespoke automation and control systems. Its work incorporates AC Drives, DC Drives, Servo Drives, PLC and SCADA systems, supporting manufacturers as they plan long term digitalisation and productivity improvements.
