Demand puts pressure on manufacturers’ resources

The 2014 EEF/NatWest Innovation Monitor shows strong demand is putting pressure on manufacturers' internal resources, from management time to working capital. As a result, manufacturers have focused on fewer innovative activities aimed at satisfying existing customers. Manufacturers continue to prioritise innovation with most planning moderate increases in expenditure, but resources are spread more thinly. This has led to more manufacturers expressing concerns that their level of expenditure on innovation is not enough to keep pace with competitors, from 19% in 2013, to 26% in this year's survey. This has worrying implications for the UK economy's long-term competitiveness, according to EEF. Lee Hopley (pictured), chief economist at EEF, said: "Innovation is a critical part of manufacturers' growth strategies and most have the ambition to do more. However, while they are now reaping the rewards of previous activity, and stronger demand is boosting growth prospects, the resultant increase in activity is forcing manufacturers to re-focus their innovation activity and leading them to fear for their competitive position. "If the UK is to continue to compete internationally, both the level and effectiveness of innovation must be increased. Many of the recent changes to policy have been supportive and these should be maintained, together with a longer-term, more strategic approach from government over successive Parliaments." Mark Eastwood, Head of Manufacturing at NatWest, added: "Last year's report showed a very different picture, with manufacturers committing to several innovation projects and making it an investment priority. The change we are seeing this year may be that due to increased demand, manufacturers are refining the innovation projects they are working on and focusing on those that are going to achieve the biggest return. "However, to remain competitive in a domestic and global market, manufacturers need to make sure they are not falling behind their peers in the level and effectiveness of the innovation they undertake." According to the report, 95% of companies said they had engaged in some form of innovation in the last three years. In addition, nearly all companies plan to continue innovating in the next three years, although their expenditure plans were generally moderate. However, the number of companies reporting innovation in three activities or more has halved compared to last year from 75% to 38%, highlighting the fact companies are engaged in a narrower range of innovations, with a focus on satisfying existing customers in more traditional markets.