Last week we saw Prime Minister Rushi Sunak announce that the UK is re-joining the European Union’s flagship research & innovation programme ‘Horizon’ whilst visiting Warwick Manufacturing Group’s High Value Catapult Centre. Horizon opens up a world of opportunity on science that delivers real world benefits to the UK.
With UK Manufacturing now ranked 8th in the world and adding £224bn to the UK economy, all is set for National Manufacturing day (28 September) to showcase range of skilled and well-paid roles, demonstrating the value of manufacturing apprenticeships.
Our Business Development consultant, Simon Cossey, has spent his summer surfing the public internet highway (whilst on holiday) to collate 100 Percent Manufacturing reflecting thoughts and sentiments from businesses encompassing skills, R&D, recruitment, sustainability, productivity and digital transformation!
| 1 | 99% | Manufacturers believe UK should have an Industrial Strategy |
| 2 | 99% | All UK businesses are SME’s |
| 3 | 95% | Growth R&D Expenditure attributed to SME Companies |
| 4 | 95% | Electronic sector businesses are SME’s |
| 5 | 92% | Believe UK Net Zero by 2050 achievable with right support |
| 6 | 90% | Leaders agreed frequency of disruption significantly increased over past decade |
| 7 | 90% | Organisations facing some element of supply chain challenge |
| 8 | 89% | West Midlands Productivity Measure ranked 6th nationally |
| 9 | 87% | UK Manufacturing firms employ less than 20 people |
| 10 | 87% | Companies say an Industrial Strategy would give their Business Long Term Vision |
| 11 | 86% | C Suite Executives have a positive outlook for 2023 |
| 12 | 82% | Businesses looking to invest in new technology |
| 13 | 81% | Manufacturers believe Government sector support inadequate |
| 14 | 80% | All SME businesses are family owned |
| 15 | 79% | Large Firms are working with an Education/Skill provider |
| 16 | 76% | Feel Mental Health is an important issue for Industry |
| 17 | 76% | Employers see continuous learning key to lifelong employability |
| 18 | 75% | Struggle to retain existing talent |
| 19 | 75% | View outsourcing positively |
| 20 | 74% | Struggle to find the right talent |
| 21 | 74% | Say applicants lack necessary Skills & Qualifications |
| 22 | 72% | Regard ‘rapid’ advance of technology as a positive trend |
| 23 | 72% | Mindshop respondents are keen to grow their business |
| 24 | 71% | Young People unlikely to consider working in a factory |
| 25 | 71% | White collar recruiters focus on project management skills |
| 26 | 70% | Manufacturers prioritising digital skills |
| 27 | 69% | Businesses believe access to skills will remain a drag on UK competitiveness |
| 28 | 65% | Colleagues feel Mental & Physical wellbeing supported by their business |
| 29 | 65% | Businesses produce a sustainability report |
| 30 | 65% | Firms operate recycling initiatives |
| 31 | 64% | Manufacturing accounts all UK R&D expenditure |
| 32 | 64% | Mindshop respondents have high energy levels and can bounce back from any challenge |
| 33 | 64% | Businesses actively sourcing new suppliers |
| 34 | 63% | Have a hybrid working programme in place |
| 35 | 62% | Leaders see uncertainty most likely to hold back company growth |
| 36 | 60% | Manufacturers expect turnover to grow next 12 months |
| 37 | 60% | Partnering with specialist Tech Companies for SMART Manufacturing initiatives |
| 38 | 60% | Focus on Data Analytics to improve operational efficiencies |
| 39 | 60% | CEO’s say they have put prices up |
| 40 | 60% | Typical micro-manufacturing firm productivity compared to larger firms |
| 41 | 59% | Say Education system failing to rectify the skills gap |
| 42 | 55% | Experiencing shortages in Advanced Manufacturing skills |
| 43 | 54% | Shifting towards Industry 4.0 to replace more traditional manufacturing |
| 44 | 54% | Plan to diversify supply chain |
| 45 | 53% | Engineers feeling positive about the future of Manufacturing |
| 46 | 52% | CEO’s have reduced operating costs |
| 47 | 51% | Businesses have M&A appetite – looking to buy |
| 48 | 51% | Manufacturers not working with skills providers to ensure specific needs met |
| 49 | 50% | Firms plan to invest in AI |
| 50 | 49% | Firms not received enough applications to fill vacancies |
| 51 | 48% | Young people never receive information about a career in Manufacturing |
| 52 | 48% | UK Employers expect to increase jobs as a result of automation |
| 53 | 48% | Manufacturers recognise that Advanced Manufacturing skills benefit productivity |
| 54 | 47% | Mindshop respondents have a clear strategy to grow their business |
| 55 | 46% | C Suite Executives expecting growth say it will be organic |
| 56 | 45% | Firms unaware High Value Catapult Centres |
| 57 | 45% | Total Exports Manufacturing based |
| 58 | 44% | Businesses returned to pre-covid production levels |
| 59 | 43% | Believe new technologies will generate more jobs |
| 60 | 42% | R&D Expenditure accounted for by Manufacturing |
| 61 | 41% | Use sustainable raw materials |
| 62 | 41% | Graduates have a `STEM’ background |
| 63 | 40% | Manufacturing output accounted for by FDI Companies |
| 64 | 39% | Leaders cite strategic alliances/JV main source company growth |
| 65 | 38% | Claim R&D Tax Credits |
| 66 | 37% | Manufacturers account for largest share of exports |
| 67 | 35% | Companies turn to Accountants as ‘Trusted Risk Advisor’ |
| 68 | 33% | Manufacturers provide industry placements/work experience |
| 69 | 33% | Proactive approach to societal issues/invest in living wage |
| 70 | 32% | Firms already taken action to diversify supply chain |
| 71 | 32% | Leaders see transforming company technology as a top priority |
| 72 | 30% | Average Manufacturing salary higher than UK average wage |
| 73 | 29% | Consider complexity of de-carbonising supply chain a barrier to Net Zero |
| 74 | 28% | Amount Transport accounts West Midlands Manufacturing output |
| 75 | 26% | Smaller firms already working with Education/Skills providers |
| 76 | 26% | C suite Executives say business is booming |
| 77 | 26% | See increased ESG Measurement/Governance key driver to accelerate strategy |
| 78 | 24% | Engineering/Technology Graduates work in Manufacturing |
| 79 | 21% | Manufacturing output food related |
| 80 | 21% | UK SME’s rated legislation/regulations as major obstacle to running a business |
| 81 | 20% | Manufacturing output FDI related |
| 82 | 20% | Companies will be exporting to new markets in 2023 |
| 83 | 19% | Leaders 2023 key theme is profitable growth |
| 84 | 18% | Young Women likely to consider manufacturing career |
| 85 | 18% | 25-64 year old hold a vocational qualification |
| 86 | 17% | Sales growth in basic metals manufacturing division |
| 87 | 16% | West Midlands Manufacturing metal related |
| 88 | 16% | Employers find proving continuous skill development challenging |
| 89 | 16% | Business Investment accounted for by UK Manufacturing |
| 90 | 15% | West Midlands Manufacturing contribution to UK Gross Value Added |
| 91 | 15% | Plan to invest in 5G to drive operational efficiencies |
| 92 | 14% | West Midlands output manufacturing related |
| 93 | 11% | Manufacturing employers currently offering apprenticeships |
| 94 | 10% | West Midlands workforce manufacturing linked |
| 95 | 8% | West Midlands accounts for total UK goods exported |
| 96 | 6% | Believe Brexit barrier to trade |
| 97 | 6% | Number UK businesses been around for 30 years or more |
| 98 | 5% | UK Gross Value Added High Tech Manufacturing led |
| 99 | 5% | UK Manufacturing annual productivity growth rate |
| 100 | 3% | UK GDP spent on R&D |
