Schroder ISF* Robotics and Automation
Enter the world of the new industrial renaissance todaySISF Smart Manufacturing shareholder letter - Change of Name
Our approach
We have entered a fourth industrial revolution where we are seeing mass innovation, such as advanced robotics in hardware, productivity maximising software, and lightweight smart materials.
The speed of this revolution is unprecedented and accelerating, and its breadth and depth is transforming the entire manufacturing value chain.
We see compelling investment opportunities from those innovators driving this manufacturing renaissance
Innovation is powering a 4th industrial revolution, a new era of “smart manufacturing”. With COVID increasing demand for digitisation, automation and efficiency, the theme is well positioned to take off now.
Spotting early on the innovators and enablers positioned to capitalise from the increasing adoption of smart manufacturing creates opportunities for long term capital growth.
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Helping companies improve profitability
Smart manufacturing makes more economic sense than ever. Tech and the availability of actionable data is enabling production efficiencies, cutting waste and downtime, reducing energy consumption and driving innovation across the entire manufacturing value chain. Together, these advances are boosting productivity and ultimately profitability.
Addressing demographic imperatives
Smart manufacturing is helping to maintain growth in the face of ageing populations and widening skills gaps. Automation plays a big role in this and it makes sense for machines to step in and do the work that would be potentially dull, or even dangerous, for a human to do. These technological advances have led to entirely new jobs being created, as they open up further innovation and previously unthought-of opportunities.
Building a more sustainable world
Smart manufacturing helps build a more sustainable future. Companies are not only making better things; they are also making things better. By cutting energy consumption and waste, carbon footprints can be radically reduced. For example, innovative materials help create cheaper and stronger composites. These are lightweight and energy efficient, bringing material fuel savings.
Meet the Manager
Portfolio manager Dan McFetrich is supported by Schroders' global resources to identify the companies best placed to capture the innovators driving this manufacturing renaissance
Dan McFetrich
Global Sector Specialist
Risk considerations
*Schroder International Selection Fund is referred to as Schroder ISF.
- China risk: If the fund invests in the China Interbank Bond Market via the Bond Connect or in China "A" shares via the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect or in shares listed on the STAR Board or the ChiNext, this may involve clearing and settlement, regulatory, operational and counterparty risks. If the fund invests in onshore renminbi-denominated securities, currency control decisions made by the Chinese government could affect the value of the fund's investments and could cause the fund to defer or suspend redemptions of its shares.
- Concentration risk: The fund may be concentrated in a limited number of geographical regions, industry sectors, markets and/or individual positions. This may result in large changes in the value of the fund, both up or down.
- Counterparty risk: The fund may have contractual agreements with counterparties. If a counterparty is unable to fulfil their obligations, the sum that they owe to the fund may be lost in part or in whole.
- Currency risk: If the fund’s investments are denominated in currencies different to the fund’s base currency, the fund may lose value as a result of movements in foreign exchange rates, otherwise known as currency rates. If the investor holds a share class in a different currency to the base currency of the fund, investors may be exposed to losses as a result of movements in currency rates.
- Currency risk / hedged shareclass: The currency hedging of the share class may not be fully effective and residual currency exposure may remain. The cost associated with hedging may impact performance and potential gains may be more limited than for unhedged share classes.
- Derivatives risk: Derivatives, which are financial instruments deriving their value from an underlying asset, may be used to manage the portfolio efficiently. A derivative may not perform as expected, may create losses greater than the cost of the derivative and may result in losses to the fund.
- Emerging markets & frontier risk: Emerging markets, and especially frontier markets, generally carry greater political, legal, counterparty, operational and liquidity risk than developed markets.
- Liquidity risk: In difficult market conditions, the fund may not be able to sell a security for full value or at all. This could affect performance and could cause the fund to defer or suspend redemptions of its shares, meaning investors may not be able to have immediate access to their holdings.
- Market risk: The value of investments can go up and down and an investor may not get back the amount initially invested.
- Operational risk: Operational processes, including those related to the safekeeping of assets, may fail. This may result in losses to the fund.
- Performance risk: Investment objectives express an intended result but there is no guarantee that such a result will be achieved. Depending on market conditions and the macro economic environment, investment objectives may become more difficult to achieve.
- Sustainability risk: The fund has environmental and/or social characteristics. This means it may have limited exposure to some companies, industries or sectors and may forego certain investment opportunities, or dispose of certain holdings, that do not align with its sustainability criteria chosen by the investment manager. The fund may invest in companies that do not reflect the beliefs and values of any particular investor.
Important information:
For professional investors and advisers only. The material is not suitable for retail clients. We define "Professional Investors" as those who have the appropriate expertise and knowledge e.g. asset managers, distributors and financial intermediaries.
This document does not constitute an offer to anyone, or a solicitation by anyone, to subscribe for shares of Schroder International Selection Fund (the “Company”). Nothing in this document should be construed as advice and is therefore not a recommendation to buy or sell shares. An investment in the Company entails risks, which are fully described in the prospectus. Subscriptions for shares of the Company can only be made on the basis of its latest Key Information Document and prospectus, together with the latest audited annual report (and subsequent unaudited semi-annual report, if published), copies of which can be obtained, free of charge, from Schroder Investment Management (Europe) S.A.
Disclosures and Risk Factors
Collective investment schemes are generally medium to long-term investments.
The value of participatory interests or the investment may go down as well as up.
Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance.
Collective investment schemes are traded at ruling prices and can engage in borrowing and scrip lending.
A schedule of fees and charges and maximum commissions is available on request from the manager.
The manager does not provide any guarantee either with respect to the capital or the return of a portfolio.
The manager has a right to close the portfolio to new investors in order to manage it more efficiently in accordance with its mandate.
Issued in March 2025 by Schroders Investment Management Ltd registration number: 01893220 (Incorporated in England and Wales) is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority and an authorised financial services provider in South Africa FSP No: 48998.
This is a Section 65 approved fund under the Collective Investment Schemes Control Act 45, 2002 (CISCA). Boutique Collective Investments (RF) (Pty) Ltd is the South African Representative Office for this fund. Boutique Collective Investments (RF) (Pty) Ltd is registered and approved under the Collective Investment Schemes Control Act (No.45 of 2002).