Reasserting UK manufacturing as a force

The month of March seemed to herald the start of the conference and awards season with so many in-person events taking place that it became impossible to avoid the inevitable clashing of dates, writes Deb Leary.

Many of us were hit with the FOMO (fear of missing out) response. I know I certainly turned up for the opening of a few envelopes that month.

I was honoured to be invited to be keynote speaker at the Insider Made in Central and East Awards, having previously acting as keynote speaker at the Made in the Midlands Awards.

These awards highlighted that manufacturing is not only alive, but also creative and inspiring despite the tsunami of challenges and pressures that have hit manufacturers as a result of Brexit and Covid - supply chain difficulties, material costs, transport costs and latterly the 'Great Resignation ' employee churn.

The question is - is manufacturing the poor relation when it comes to government support and does manufacturing as a brand need a revamp?

At the Insider Made in Central and East England Awards 2022, I had the pleasure of meeting Andrea Wilson from Hone-All UK. We discussed the opportunities and challenges for the manufacturing sector and ultimately what aspects need to change.

Andrea introduced me to “Support UK Manufacturing (SUM) ” a diverse expert group of SME manufacturing owners, leaders, influencers and support service providers representing over £250m of revenue. “Support UK Manufacturing ” is on a mission.

As Andrea said: “Manufacturers are the life-blood and foundation of British industry.

“The strength of the UK economy, its ductility, resilience, and agility are directly dependent upon a flourishing SME manufacturing sector.

“An industrial focus will lead to export growth and high value-added long-term employment by 'hidden champion ' collaboration, shaping lifelong vocational skills (full-time and day release).

“In addition, the commercialising of research establishments ' deliverables into viable, high value products for global consumption, will allow the UK to lead the world in an array of diverse sectors and not compete upon price as the main imperative. ”

Andrea added: “Our aim is to improve, promote and secure the long-term future of the UK engineering and manufacturing sector. We will achieve this by representing SMEs, raising awareness of the depth, breadth, and value they add to the manufacturing sector, and how they can contribute to achieving economic growth and contribute to the current political agendas and goals of the UK Government. ”

“Support UK Manufacturing ” are calling for a dedicated Commissioner for Manufacturing, with a focus on, but not limited to, SME manufacturing, providing strategic and competitive advantage guidance from businesses through all levels of the UK supply chain - from idea to innovation, design to delivery.

Without an industrial strategy for UK manufacturing, SUM believes that this ultimately hampers growth, investment and reduces any competitive advantage.

The appointment of a Minister for Industry is felt to be too broad a remit while a Commissioner for Manufacturing would help champion the industry and the UK SME supply chain.

Their purpose is clear; to create a single voice for SMEs, bringing together large numbers of manufacturing supports, experts and business owners. They are focused on reasserting UK manufacturing 's position.

I will continue to watch with interest how this evolves.

But what of our region directly?

On 21 December 2021, The Manufacturer reported that the West Midlands is leading the post-pandemic boom. This was based on analysis from the Manufacturing Technology Centre reporting that HMRC trade statistics show that manufacturing exports from the West Midlands rose 65 per cent in Q2, 2021, compared to the same period a year earlier. Greater than all of the UK regions, with the national average being 32 per cent.

However, despite this increase, the West Midlands manufacturing sector is operating at 82 per cent of its pre-pandemic exports.

In response, the Manufacturing Technology Centre requested the government to promote the reshoring of manufacturing - returning the production of goods back to the UK - by bringing development spending in line with research spending in the West Midlands, and across the UK.

A more recent report, posted by Reuters on 1 April reported that British manufacturing nationally expanded in March at its weakest pace in 13 months and price pressures which had started moderately had actually worsened according to a survey compiled by S&P Global.

The Survey claimed this slowdown was linked to geopolitical tensions, Brexit and ongoing difficulty with supply chains. Somewhat a statement of the obvious.

As manufacturers we are aware of the pressure and the reasons for the challenges. The key question is what can be done to help alleviate the pressure?

I intend to continue my focus on manufacturing over the next couple of months and would welcome readers ' perspective on what can be done to support this sector and also how we can encourage more people and more diversity into engineering, elevating the manufacturing brand, thereby ensuring it never gets neglected or taken for granted.

My email address is: [email protected]

Deb Leary is president of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and chief executive of Forensic Pathways

This column first appeared in the Birmingham Post