By Daniel Ash, Account Director
UK manufacturing has a rich history and a new chapter ahead, with innovation, resilience, and sustainability leading the way. With the ink still drying on a fresh UK industrial strategy, this is the perfect time to explore the themes shaping the future of the sector.
In a new episode of The Message podcast, I was joined by Mark Swift, Head of Communications at Make UK, the voice of British manufacturing, and my colleague Chris Hulme. Together, we dug into the real story behind UK manufacturing and why it matters now more than ever.
Undervaluing the value of manufacturing
During our conversation, I was struck by how much the British public underestimates the strength and importance of UK manufacturing. Mark explained that in 2018 people guessed that the UK ranked 56th globally for manufacturing output, when in reality we were 8th. In a more recent survey, people on average thought we’d risen to 43rd, when the UK had actually slipped slightly to 10th place. For context, the 43rd country by manufacturing output is the UAE.
So why this disconnect? Mark explained that there’s a long-standing perception that British manufacturing is in decline, a mindset rooted in history as the industrial revolution was seen to have shifted to the US and Germany. Yet this domestic opinion seems to be starkly at odds with the international view of the UK’s brand. From luxury brands on Milan’s high streets to iconic British products like Scotch whisky and Range Rovers, the global image of British manufacturing is one associated with quality and prestige. Mark summarises this doubt in UK manufacturing to be rooted in national self-esteem, and that the sector’s narrative needs to challenge this entrenched mindset.
Mark and I talked about how this perception is slowly changing, particularly with COVID-19 and how it became a wake-up call for the British public on the critical role manufacturing plays, not just in making vaccines and ventilators but in national resilience. The pandemic, along with recent geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions, has exposed the fragility of “just-in-time” global supply models. “Supply chains are incredibly complex,” says Mark, “Something like an iPhone can travel the equivalent of six times around the world before it’s finished.” That complexity has long enabled lower costs and faster delivery, but it also introduces significant fragility. Events like COVID-19 and geopolitical tariffs have shown just how vulnerable those systems are.
From supply chains to skills: The transformation of a sector
During the episode, Mark shared how many manufacturers are trying to fix that fragility by reshoring production closer to home, diversifying suppliers, and focusing on resilience over pure cost-efficiency. I found it fascinating how this strategic shift also ties into a bigger story about workforce transformation. Manufacturing isn’t the low-skilled industry many imagine; today, companies are hiring for advanced technical and digital roles that didn’t even exist a decade ago.
One part of our chat that stood out was about the role manufacturers, especially SMEs, play in their local communities. For instance, Mark told us about a company in Derbyshire, in a former mining area, that took over a failing secondary school and turned it into one of the county’s most popular academies, nurturing the next generation of skilled workers and regenerating communities.
This community-driven approach is echoed in places like Cumbria, where SMEs collaborate with schools and councils to build tailored skill pools, a smart solution to tackle talent shortages and keep manufacturing hubs thriving in regions where young people often leave to find work elsewhere. These initiatives show how important manufacturers, especially SMEs, can be in shaping their local areas; and for communications teams, they offer a great opportunity to tell stories about investing in people and places. This kind of messaging not only builds a strong, positive brand but also supports key business goals like attracting and keeping skilled talent.
Building confidence
Mark also highlighted how organisations like Make UK act as vital connectors between industry and government, shaping policies that support growth and innovation. These partnerships are crucial for raising the profile of UK manufacturing both at home and internationally, and what inspired me was how proactive many of these businesses are, making them invaluable allies for communicators trying to tell the manufacturing story in fresh ways.
Finally, we also discussed how manufacturers are embracing sustainability and creativity, like turning old fishing nets into eco-friendly car seats; a perfect example of how the sector is solving real-world problems while reinforcing a positive and modern narrative around manufacturing.
So, what’s the future of UK manufacturing? From my conversation with Mark, it’s clear that it’s in very capable hands. The passion, skills, and innovation in this sector are driving progress in clean energy, healthcare, and infrastructure. Public perception is slowly catching up, with campaigns and awards shining a light on companies that inspire and innovate.
If you want to hear more about how the UK manufacturing sector and its brand are evolving, give the latest episode of the Message podcast a listen.
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