In celebration of National Engineering Day, Thales has collaborated with ITN Business on their “Engineering: Today, Tomorrow & Beyond,” programme. This initiative features the cutting-edge work being carried out by Thales at our Connected Reconfigurable Factory (COREF), highlighting our efforts to revolutionize the UK manufacturing landscape through Industry 4.0 technologies.

COREF not only improves engineering processes for a more efficient and resilient future, but it also highlights the vital role of people - especially our apprentices and graduates, who represent the future of engineering.

Driving Industry 4.0 Forward

At the heart of COREF’s mission is the development of innovative solutions to accelerate the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies in high-complexity, low-volume production environments. By integrating smart tools, AI, and robotics, COREF empowers industries such as defence, aerospace, and space to maintain competitive advantage through improved productivity, adaptability and resilience. We are not just adopting new technologies—we are embedding them into manufacturing processes in ways that work alongside human expertise, ensuring that technological advancement enhances, rather than replaces, our people.

Our approach ensures that all production lines benefit from flexible, scalable solutions that are tailored to their specific needs. This is particularly crucial for SMEs, who often face challenges in accessing advanced automation tools. COREF’s open-access facilities remove barriers to innovation by providing smaller businesses with the resources to integrate Industry 4.0 technologies, enabling them to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Secure Connectivity and Trusted Decision-Making

One of the most critical aspects of Industry 4.0 is the secure flow of data and communication between connected systems. COREF’s unique ability to facilitate trusted decision-making through secure, bi-directional data exchange ensures that organisations can leverage real-time insights into their operations without compromising security. Using Thales’ high-speed encryptors, we ensure that all data transferred between our operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) layers is secure, creating a trusted environment where decision-makers can act with confidence.

Trusted decision-making is essential for optimising production, and Thales is proud to be at the forefront of ensuring that these advanced systems operate securely. Whether it’s predicting maintenance needs or optimising workflow, our secure, encrypted data flows provide real-time visibility and control over manufacturing processes, helping organisations avoid potential vulnerabilities.

Nurturing Talent for the Future of Engineering

COREF is not just about technology—it’s also about people. Our focus on developing early career talent through apprenticeships and graduate programmes is a key part of our mission. COREF offers young engineers the opportunity to work with novel technologies and contribute to transformative engineering projects, preparing them to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

We understand that the future of engineering lies in diversity—of thought, background, and expertise. COREF fosters an inclusive environment where engineers from various disciplines collaborate to find creative solutions. This diversity is essential to driving innovation, and we believe that by nurturing talent today, we can shape the future of engineering for the better.

Engineering the Future: A Digital Transformation

As we look ahead, the transformation of engineering practices through digital approaches such as digital twins, digital prototypes, and advanced modelling will be central to the future of our work at COREF. Our approach aligns closely with the broader narrative of the UK’s engineering transformation, and we will be sharing further insights at key industry events, including the DE&S Digital Engineering Conference next February.

COREF is a vital part of Thales's expanding innovation and technology ecosystem in the UK, having established Demonstrator Cells in all four nations. Our initiatives have also led to the launch of several PhD research projects, enriching our community and driving knowledge across our network of suppliers and partners.

Thales’ commitment to the future of engineering is evident in our ongoing efforts to build a secure, resilient, and innovative manufacturing ecosystem. By driving the digital transformation of engineering and ensuring secure, trusted decision-making, COREF is playing a crucial role in shaping the future of UK manufacturing.

Watch our COREF Film on the  "Engineering: Today, Tomorrow & Beyond" ITN Business Hub.