The future of UK manufacturing: Reports of its death are greatly exaggerated

Long before the onset of the current downturn, there was a widespread perception that the manufacturing sector in the UK was either already dead, or soon will be. This is not true.   

While the UK is suffering from the severe cyclical global downturn at the moment, we believe UK manufacturing will survive this as it survived the crises of 1973, 1982, and 1991. The question is whether it will be weaker or stronger at the end of that process – we see some significant challenges, but also grounds for optimism.  

Through extensive interviews with CEOs and board-level directors of leading manufacturing businesses we have explored the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

Some of our conclusions may be surprising, and the recommendations that flow from them will require bold thinking and resolute action.   But our overall message is clear: UK manufacturing is not dead and it will survive the current downturn – but we think it can and must do better than that.  In our daily interactions with some of our clients we see efforts and innovations already taking shape today which, if properly leveraged, could move the UK manufacturing sector from “surviving” mode to “thriving".

Click here to download the future of UK manufacturing report - (Adobe PDF Format - 1368K)

Click here to download the future of UK manufacturing sector-by-sector appendix - (Adobe PDF Format - 2082K)