Automate UK was launched in 2023 as the new home of PPMA, BARA and UKIVA.. We are the unifying voice for members as the leading trade association for automation suppliers and end users of technology across processing, packaging, robotics and machine vision. 

With 600+ member companies, our principal objective is to help members sell more products and services through various exhibitions, publications and training.

Established in 1987, PPMA (the Processing and Packaging Machinery Association) is the UK’s trusted trade association for processing and packaging machinery suppliers to both the domestic and overseas markets.

BARA (British Automation and Robot Association) provides a voice for the Robot and Automation Industries when dealing with government, industry, financial and academic institutions.  In 2009, BARA joined forces with Automate UK to become a special interest focus group and has gathered more influence, members and provides more support to the end-user community.

Part of the Automate UK group of trade associations, UKIVA (the UK Industrial Vision Association) promotes the use of image processing technology throughout British manufacturing. Providing an industry voice and helping companies to gain a competitive advantage through seminars, conferences and technical information.

UKIVA and BARA have a strong link based on the combined use of vision systems and robotics within the end-to-end production line process.