With a significant jump in output to £224 billion in 2023, the UK has climbed from 9th to 8th place in the global manufacturing rankings.  

Greater Manchester, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, is the beating heart of this sector, with the largest manufacturing and advanced engineering cluster in the UK. Additionally, it is the gateway to the North West, the rest of the UK, and Europe. 

To foster the future growth of the manufacturing sector, GM Business Growth Hub is developing the first Greater Manchester Manufacturing Blueprint. 

GM Business Growth Hub’s manufacturing experts have provided support to more than 1,110 manufacturers in the region, increased their sales by £149.9 million and created more than 1,100 jobs in the process. Now, we want to hear from manufacturing businesses across the city-region to help us build an accurate picture of the business and economic conditions facing the sector.  This will help to ensure that the advice and support offered to businesses is tailored to the needs of manufacturers across the city-region. 

Faced with a challenging environment in recent years, the manufacturing sector in Greater Manchester still thrives by seeking opportunities locally or abroad. The Greater Manchester Manufacturing Blueprint will gather data and insights from the sector so that we can harness these opportunities to boost the interests of the sector over the short and medium term. 

“In today’s complex and rapidly changing environment, there is no better time for us to go back to the sector and hear their voice directly on how to support them moving forward,” said Anne Campion, Head of Manufacturing, GM Business Growth Hub. “Taking part in this research is a chance for manufacturers to be open and honest about the challenges and opportunities they face, so that we can ensure our support remains appropriate and impactful. It is time for the manufacturers in Greater Manchester to have their voice heard.”

Alain Dilworth, Programme Manager of Made Smarter – a Growth Company programme to help SME manufacturers with digital transformation said: “This research is a fantastic opportunity for Greater Manchester manufacturers to speak frankly about the operational challenges they face and suggest what further support they could benefit from.   

“At Made Smarter we welcome the spotlight on manufacturing in the region, encourage businesses to take part in the Greater Manchester Manufacturing Blueprint and look forwards to the outcome of further insight into this pivotal sector.” 

The Manufacturing Institute has an incredible legacy with Mancunian manufacturers, founded in Trafford Park, for 30-years they have strived to understand and support the needs and challenges facing the sector. Lisa Riley, TMI Executive Director believes, “by contributing to this research, you are helping to foster growth and further opportunity, the results of which will enable a critical source of data and insights for everyone engaged in the future of Manufacturing in the region.”

Winning Moves (a research provider) will be reaching out to the sector throughout March. Manufacturers in Greater Manchester are urged to support the research and share their views with them. The findings of the survey will be published this summer.