Find Industry and Manufacturing expertise in United Kingdom

The United Kingdom holds the eighth most competitive economy in the world (2012–13, World Economic Forum, Global Competitiveness Report) with manufacturing contributing 11.4% of GDP in 2011 (World Bank). The UK is classified seventh out of 185 countries by the World Bank for ease of doing business, a ranking based on how conducive the regulatory environment is to the opening and operation of a local firm. Industry workers make up almost a fifth (19.1%) of total employment (2011, World Bank) and industrial production is estimated to be shrinking at the rate of -2.5% (2012 est. CIA World Factbook).

Manufacturing industries within the United Kingdom centre on the production of automation equipment, motor vehicles and mechanical parts, but also include electronics, chemicals, clothing and consumer goods (2012, CIA World Factbook). Among the UK’s main manufacturing companies are: JCB (Joseph Cyril Bamford), the third biggest construction equipment manufacturer in the world (2008, The Telegraph); TI Automotive, manufacturer of car parts; Baxi Group, manufacturer of water heating systems; Vita Group, manufacturer of foam and plastic for use in mattresses, sports equipment, soundproofing, etc.; and Alexander Dennis, maker of buses and parts for large motor vehicles.

Exports of goods and services made up 31.7% of GDP in 2012 according to the World Bank, an overall incline of almost two points since 2008 but a decline from 32.5% in 2011. ICT goods totalled 5% of total goods exports in 2011, while high technology (aerospace, computers, pharmaceuticals, scientific instruments, and electrical machinery) made up 21.3% of manufactured exports in the same year.  Main export industries include manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals, food and tobacco, which are exported primarily to Europe – particularly Germany and the Netherlands –and the US (2012, CIA World Factbook). In 2011, 2.8% of merchandise exports went to developing economies in sub-Saharan Africa (World Bank). Exports are estimated to have contributed US$474.6 billion to the British economy in 2012, down from $479.1 billion in 2011 (CIA World Factbook).

Imports, arriving mainly from Germany and China, totalled $642.6 billion in 2012, up from the 2011 figure of $639.9 billion (est. CIA World Factbook). Imports consist mainly of manufactured goods, machinery, fuels and foodstuffs.

The World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report gives the UK a production process sophistication value of 5.5 out of 7 where 7 is the most sophisticated, ranking it 17^th out of 144 countries.

Many agencies exist within the UK and these are specific to individual industries: for example, the Institute of the Motor Industry concerns itself with forwarding the interests of those working within the motor industry, while the Food Standards Agency provides support and guidance for those involved in food production.

UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) is a government department which serves to market UK-based businesses internationally, while also looking to attract new partners overseas.