-
-
News
News Highlights
- Books
Featured Books
- smt007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueIntelligent Test and Inspection
Are you ready to explore the cutting-edge advancements shaping the electronics manufacturing industry? The May 2025 issue of SMT007 Magazine is packed with insights, innovations, and expert perspectives that you won’t want to miss.
Do You Have X-ray Vision?
Has X-ray’s time finally come in electronics manufacturing? Join us in this issue of SMT007 Magazine, where we answer this question and others to bring more efficiency to your bottom line.
IPC APEX EXPO 2025: A Preview
It’s that time again. If you’re going to Anaheim for IPC APEX EXPO 2025, we’ll see you there. In the meantime, consider this issue of SMT007 Magazine to be your golden ticket to planning the show.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - smt007 Magazine
Report Reveals ‘True Impact’ of Manufacturing is Nearly a Quarter of UK GDP
April 15, 2024 | Manufacturing Technologies AssociationEstimated reading time: 4 minutes

Manufacturing is having a far greater impact on the UK economy than first thought according to a major new report released today.
‘The True Impact of UK Manufacturing’, which will be unveiled at MACH 2024 in Birmingham later, shows industry is worth £518billion and supports 7.3million UK jobs directly and across the supply chains/communities it operates in.
This represents nearly a quarter of total GDP (23%) and far bigger than the direct contribution of 8.2% that is usually quoted by economists.
Carried out by Oxford Economics and the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA), the in-depth report also shows that ‘making things’ accounts for 34.5% of all UK goods and services exports, whilst the median wage is £31,300 – 11% higher than the national median wage.
The findings are even more impressive when you consider the sector has had to navigate a myriad of challenges outside its control in recent years, including changing relations with the European Union, the Covid-19 pandemic, unprecedented increases in energy costs and global supply chain fragility and international conflicts.
MTA’s Chief Executive Officer, James Selka is now urging the sector to build on this report by exploring ways in which it can address the skills shortage and develop successful programmes, such as the High Value Manufacturing Catapult Centres, to increase wealth creation by commercialising more of the great ideas and innovations born in the UK.
“This is a fantastic insight into the true impact of manufacturing in the UK and reinforces what many of us already know – that industry is a far greater contributor to GDP and jobs than listed in national accounts,” commented James.
“Our report has been designed to take a ‘deeper dive’ and looks at the direct, indirect, and induced impacts of manufacturing, which is a far more comprehensive overview of what we make, the complex nature of our supply chains and the economic benefit gained from the spending of wages by those employed in our sector.”
He continued: “The results illustrate that manufacturing accounts for £518bn of GDP and supports 7.3m jobs, most of which enjoy higher than average wages.
“We are also a part of the economy that invests heavily in new technologies, with nearly half (47%) of total R&D investment made by manufacturers. You only have to visit MACH this week to see this first-hand, with more than 500 companies showcasing the latest in automation and robotics, additive manufacturing, latest software, advanced CNC machining and measurement and inspection solutions.”
The MTA is now calling on a well-integrated commitment from the whole nation to help industry realise its potential, ranging from business leaders and academics to policymakers so crucial in developing a cross-party industrial strategy.
The recent Advanced Manufacturing Plan - accompanied by support worth £4.5bn - has been welcomed as a step in the right direction and an important vehicle in helping to cultivate the new technologies and industries being born, such as electrification, lightweighting, less carbon intensive materials and renewable energy.
Introducing new measures that increase exports should also be a priority and there is an unprecedented opportunity to deliver critical sovereign capabilities from public health to defending our realm.
MACH 2024
The True Impact of UK Manufacturing report will be officially launched at MACH 2024 by MTA President Tony Bowkett.
Set over five days at the NEC (15-19th April) in Birmingham, the event is the biggest in the UK’s industrial calendar and attracts over 30,000 people from the manufacturing community and more than 500 companies.
More than £200m of business is expected to be completed during the week as some of the country’s most innovative firms unveil new technologies and machines designed to boost productivity and global competitiveness.
MACH, which has a huge focus on sustainable manufacturing and carbon reduction through its six Knowledge Hubs, is also a big attraction for young people looking for a career in industry, with 3,500 students (aged between 12 and 18) set to attend the show.
Headline sponsors Lloyds Bank welcomed the findings of the latest report. David Atkinson, UK Head of Manufacturing SME and Mid Corporates, commented: “As this report highlights, manufacturing is an integral part of the UK economy, through GDP contribution, job creation, and as a source of high wages.
“When you consider the sector’s extended reach through its supply chains and beyond, you can really start to see the scale of its contribution.
“Manufacturers have demonstrated agility and resilience in the past few years of uncertainty, and we are responding by continuing to invest in partnerships in the sector that ensure it has the skills, tools and support needed to compete on a global scale.”
Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK, concluded: “Manufacturing has always been a strategically important sector for UK economy and, none more so than now, given the immense societal, political and economic challenges that we face.
“Just as the first industrial revolution provided a step change, the accelerating pace of technological change of the fourth industrial revolution gives us a generational opportunity to do the same now. This valuable report highlights to those in power now and in the future, how manufacturing is greater than the sum of its parts.”
Suggested Items
Robust.AI Partners With Foxconn to Accelerate and Scale Manufacturing of Carter Warehouse Automation Robots
05/16/2025 | BUSINESS WIRERobust.AI, a leader in AI-driven warehouse automation, announced a strategic manufacturing partnership with Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn), the world’s largest electronics manufacturing services provider, to expand production of its flagship Carter™ multi-function collaborative robotics platform.
4FRONT Solutions Invests in Seica’s PILOT V8 NEXT Flying Probe Tester to Enhance Test Capabilities at DeLand, FL Facility
05/16/2025 | Seica, Inc.Seica, Inc. is pleased to announce that 4FRONT Solutions has purchased and installed a PILOT V8 NEXT Flying Probe Tester at its electronics manufacturing facility in DeLand, Florida.
Marcy’s Musings: The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection
05/16/2025 | Marcy LaRont -- Column: Marcy's MusingsFew things in this world are or will ever be perfect. For me, perfection might look like the vivid colors that only Mother Nature can create, the birth of a child, and the inner workings of the human brain. But all else in this physical, tangible world is, in one way or another, inherently flawed. Even the “flawless” diamond is more about the sheer awe and beauty of beholding near-perfection than perfection itself. In many ways, this truth provides great texture and diversity to our world. Yet, we still strive for perfection, and it’s in this that we learn and achieve higher heights than we otherwise would have.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
05/16/2025 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007My picks for the week include—as a complement to the trade agreement news—SEMI's public support of a bill including new tax credit eligibility for semiconductor manufacturers. This provision feels quite similar to the current PCB investment bill that's been introduced to the current Congress; here’s hoping Congress takes a more holistic approach to electronics manufacturing.
Join the Conversation: MESI 4.0 Summit 2025
05/15/2025 | Critical ManufacturingThe MES and Industry 4.0 International Summit 2025 (MESI 4.0 Summit), hosted by Critical Manufacturing, will bring together manufacturing leaders, technology experts, and industry pioneers in Porto on June 12-13, offering a unique platform to explore practical strategies for digital transformation and smart manufacturing.