Are British factories an endangered species?

Epicor Software

There is no doubt that the manufacturing landscape is tricky to navigate:

• The cost base for manufactures is at an all-time high
• International competition has never been more acute
• Production operations have never been easier to transfer overseas

With the rate of change accelerating fast, the outlook for manufacturing is far from rosy. The basic business model for large numbers of factories up and down the country can’t be sustainable in the long term.

Yes, there will always be some products that will be made locally, such as items that are produced in low numbers, items with a short shelf life, (such as pre-packed sandwiches) heavy items such as bricks and those that need to be changed quickly to adapt to market needs. However, in general, if businesses want to continue to manufacturer products in our country, then they need to think long and hard about how they can do this whilst building revenue, staying competitive and continuing to prosper as a business. 

There is no doubt that the manufacturing landscape is tricky to navigate:

• The cost base for manufactures is at an all-time high
• International competition has never been more acute
• Production operations have never been easier to transfer overseas

With the rate of change accelerating fast, the outlook for manufacturing is far from rosy. The basic business model for large numbers of factories up and down the country can’t be sustainable in the long term.

Yes, there will always be some products that will be made locally, such as items that are produced in low numbers, items with a short shelf life, (such as pre-packed sandwiches) heavy items such as bricks and those that need to be changed quickly to adapt to market needs. However, in general, if businesses want to continue to manufacturer products in our country, then they need to think long and hard about how they can do this whilst building revenue, staying competitive and continuing to prosper as a business.