Japanese factory automation specialist FANUC has appointed Andy Armstrong as managing director of FANUC UK and FANUC Ireland, effective immediately, in a move that strengthens leadership across the group's UK and Irish manufacturing automation operations. Insider Media reported on the appointment, confirmed on 28 April 2026.

Armstrong brings more than 40 years of engineering and sales experience to the role, having served as vice managing director for FANUC UK and FANUC Ireland for the past two years. He previously spent 18 years with Krauss Maffei in engineering and sales roles before joining FANUC in 2014 as a sales manager. In 2021, he was appointed head of European sales for ROBOSHOT, a position he held concurrently with his vice managing director role.

Armstrong's predecessor, Tom Bouchier, will now focus on his role as FANUC's cluster coordinator for Northern Europe.

Armstrong said: "As the MD of FANUC UK and FANUC Ireland, I am keen to support the fantastic efforts being made day in and day out by our hardworking manufacturers. We've known for some time that a country's productivity is directly linked to its level of automation. The UK is the only G7 nation to sit outside the global top 20 for robot density, and this must change if we are to remain competitive on the global stage. I am very much looking forward to leading the drive to increase automation uptake across the UK and Ireland, and helping companies to reap the benefits of the latest AI and data-driven robotic technology."

Marco Ghirardello, president and CEO of FANUC Europe, said: "Andy Armstrong's extensive experience, leadership and dedication make him ideally suited for this position, and we are confident he will continue to drive our success."

See the full details of Andy Armstrong's appointment at FANUC UK and Ireland here.