EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Manufacturing Output Grows By £21bn

According to an analysis of ONS data by FourJaw Manufacturing Analytics, the value of UK
manufacturing output increased by £21bn in 2025, despite a workforce reduction of over
36,000 people and 2500 fewer manufacturers. Factory output increased by 3.4% to nearly
£639bn in 2025, driven by multi-billion-pound output and productivity gains in aerospace
(£6.7bn) and metal and machinery (£2.6bn).
Chris Iveson, CEO at FourJaw Manufacturing Analytics, says: “To deliver £21bn more in
output is a phenomenal achievement given current workforce challenges and points to a
sector successfully embracing continuous improvement and productivity-enhancing
technology. Put simply, the resurgence of UK manufacturing is down to smart, efficient
production and maximising the output of every machine and every employee.”
More information www.fourjaw.com

Early Careers Engagement

BEP Surface Technologies reinforced its commitment to skills development and earlycareers engagement with a recent hands-on visit to Hazel Wood High School in Bury, Greater Manchester. Managing director Andrew McClusky and design engineer Callum Taylordeliveredinteractive sessions to Year 8 and Year 9 students.To support engagement, BEP used an illustrated storybook to explain its role within industry in an accessible way. During the day, BEP delivered ten 12-minute small-group sessions, creating space for open discussion on engineering careers, apprenticeships and technical routes into manufacturing.

More information www.bep-st.com

High-Profile Delegation

Doncasters, a leading international manufacturer of highly engineered precision castings servicing the aerospace and IGT markets, welcomed senior leaders from the City of Bochum and Bochum Economic Development to its Bochum site in Germany recently following the recent announcement of a landmark $52m investment in the facility. During the visit, guests toured the Bochum site and met with Doncasters’ leadership team to learn more about the planned investment, which will strengthen advanced manufacturing capabilities, support long-term growth and reinforce Doncasters’ commitment to the region.

More information www.doncasters.com

Students Bring AI, Automation and Digital Tools

SME manufacturers are bringing AI, automation and digital twins to the factory floor by teaming up with students and graduates through Made Smarter’s Digital Internship Programme.The paid placements give businesses a fast, low-risk way to test and apply new technologies, modernise processes and build confidence in digital transformation, while giving students real, hands-on experience inside actual manufacturing plants.Over the past year, Made Smarter North West’s latest cohort of 18 interns have worked directly on factory floors and in engineering teams, applying digital technologies to real production challenges.

More information www.bit.ly/4qxnagl

MTC Training to Open New Site in Northeast

MTC Training is opening a new advanced manufacturing training centre at Cobalt Park, near Newcastle, bringing high‑quality apprenticeships, upskilling and reskilling programmes to the northeast. Launching this summer, the new centre will offer hands‑on courses that include PLC programming, mechanical &electrical, and automation – with engineering apprenticeships starting from September 2026.Supported by Lloyds, MTC Training Tyneside will help local employers develop the skills they need for the future and create new opportunities for learners across the region.More information www.mtc-training.org