Forterro’s new research shows that the UK’s industrial midmarket is running into a growing skills problem that slows down growth and weakens progress on digital projects. Forterro announced that 49% of UK manufacturers and wholesalers say the digital skills gap has already held back growth or disrupted ongoing work. Another 34% said they do not feel confident about finding recruits with the digital expertise they need.
The gaps fall into categories… According to the report, 42% pointed to AI literacy as a missing skill, 41% pointed to cybersecurity and 40% pointed to data analysis. These areas form the base of most digital projects, which explains why so many firms feel stuck between ambition and what they can actually deliver.
Thomas Knorr, Vice President Cloud Transformation at Forterro, said the skills gap has become the biggest barrier to digital progression across the UK’s industrial midmarket. He explained that firms see the value in AI and automation but struggle to hire people who can support these tools or build the structures that make them work.
Are Firms Making Progress With Digital Transformation?
The research shows different things… Forterro reported that 57% of UK respondents say they have a digital transformation roadmap. Another 56% believe their cloud and data setup works for their current needs. These figures put the UK slightly ahead of the European average, which may suggest a confident market on the surface.
At the same time, firms do not rate their progress highly with around 30% having rated their progress over the past three years as poor. Another 34% described their progress as adequate rather than impressive. The infographic the company created backs this up, showing firms saying they are struggling to modernise even while they are aware of what they need to fix.
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Many firms feel under pressure from rising competition. One third of respondents said the main driver behind digital transformation is the need to keep pace with competitors. Another core reason is long term stability, with respondents saying digital upgrades are no longer optional if they want to protect their place in the market. The research also showed that 57% believe that delaying cloud adoption will damage market share.
Knorr said that digitalisation is now a basic requirement for staying relevant. He added that unless companies retrain or upskill, the same obstacles will keep slowing down progress even where good technology exists.
What Does AI Do With Firms’ Plans?
AI stands out as the area where UK firms see the most promise, even though it is also where many of the largest skills gaps sit. Forterro’s infographic shows that predictive maintenance is one of the most common ERP add-ons, along with predictive logistics and document management. These tools help firms anticipate problems earlier and handle daily tasks with less friction.
Firms also pointed to AI-driven analytics and risk detection as the tools they expect to gain the most from in the years ahead.
Knorr said AI is not about taking jobs away. He said the aim is to help people work more efficiently and shape their roles in ways that feel more rewarding. He added that when digital skills and good tools come together, AI becomes a practical way to support growth and sharpen competitiveness.
