The report – Regional Manufacturing Outlook - draws upon survey data and ONS figures to provide a longer-term picture of the state of UK manufacturing. It shows that UK manufacturers as a whole are moderately optimistic about the next 12 months, but the West Midlands is leading the way in business confidence. The region scores 6.86 out of a possible 10 points for confidence, placing it first out of nine regions.
Yorkshire and Humber and the East of England are hot on its heels, coming second and third respectively. At the opposite end of the table are Wales and the North East, with the latter coming in last. Confidence here has likely been dented by the impact the downturn in North Sea oil and gas has had particularly on manufacturers in the North East.
The report also shines a light on regional export performance, a key factor behind business confidence. The West Midlands accounts for over 12% (12.1%) of the UK's manufactured exports – the second biggest contribution by any one region. This means that one in every eight pounds earned from the UK's manufactured exports is made in the West Midlands. The crown, however, goes to London and the South East, which accounts for over a quarter (25.4%) of the UK's manufactured exports.
The EU is the UK's largest market for manufactured exports and this is true for every UK region too. However, the proportion of manufactured exports heading to the EU varies significantly, with firms in the South West (59%) and the East of England (56%) sending the largest proportions and those in Wales (43%) and the West Midlands (40%) the smallest. However, the West Midlands' second biggest overseas market, Asia, accounts for 27% of its manufactured exports – the highest proportion out of all the UK regions.
But, when it comes to regional output, near neighbour the East Midlands storms ahead. In this region manufacturing accounts for 16.3% of regional output. In Wales too, manufacturing contributes a significant chunk of regional output (15.8%). In contrast, in London and the South East manufacturing only accounts for 4.8% of regional output, but contributes 18% to the UK's overall manufacturing output – the largest single contribution by far.
There is also good news on the employment front. Despite the popularly-held belief that Britain doesn't make anything anymore, UK manufacturing employs a total of 2.6 million people, one in every ten people (11%) on average. Employment ranges from 6% of the local workforce (almost 523,000 people) in London and the South East through to 15% or almost 302,000 people in the East Midlands. Wales and Yorkshire and Humber have, however, enjoyed the largest post-recession increases in manufacturing employment.
Lee Hopley (pictured), chief economist at EEF, said: "This report lifts the lid on the depth of regional diversity and the breadth of opportunity that a strong UK manufacturing base offers for local growth. Every region faces specific challenges and trends but, by overcoming them, manufacturers are creating a success story that enables our ingenuity, creativity and skills to be recognised around the world and particularly in Europe, our biggest and most important export market."
She added:"It is also clear, however, that some of the obstacles facing UK manufacturers cannot be overcome by grit and determination alone. Policy makers have a critical role to play and must focus on ensuring that support for exporters, innovators and investors is well-targeted and hits the sweet spot."
Richard May, partner and head of the manufacturing sector at DLA Piper, said: "Despite levels of moderate optimism across the UK, the oil and gas industry is not out of the woods yet and this is having a continuing impact on the manufacturing sector as a whole and for the North East particularly.
"However, there are positives that can be drawn that should not be overlooked. With the Midlands and Yorkshire & Humber proving upbeat, and most regions expecting growth in employment in the next 12 months, the sector remains resilient and continues to bounce back from the impact of recent financial and political instability."
The full Regional Manufacturing Outlook can be downloaded here.
