The latest Manufacturing Barometer report presents the voice of nearly 140 senior decision makers in UK SME manufacturing businesses.
Prompted by findings last quarter where manufacturers highlighted concerns for their supply chains and with still no clarity on the final shape of Brexit, this Barometer’s Special Focus asked manufacturers to convey what they are doing to develop and secure their supplier base. The findings chime with those predicting continued decline in future performance of the sector and demonstrate that manufacturers are clearly feeling the stresses of a very challenging economic and industrial landscape.
The most striking find this quarter is that plans to increase the number of staff are at a 10 year low. Reading this in conjunction with the intentions to invest in machinery and premises and expected sales shows the sector adapting to a new manufacturing landscape both across the South West and nationally
Simon Howes
CEO, Exelin Group
(delivering SWMAS and the Manufacturing Barometer)
