New strategy for manufacturing

Yorkshire Forward has produced the region’s strategy for manufacturing, outlining the actions which will help Yorkshire & Humber’s manufacturing sector to grow and win international recognition.

What does the strategy contain?

The plan takes a long-term view of where the sector needs to be in 5, 10 and 20 years’ time. It identifies the actions needed to grow manufacturing by over 50%, until it represents 20% of the regional economy by 2030 (it currently stands at 13%). The goal is to make Yorkshire & Humber a place where international customers need to do business; therefore we need to ensure that the manufacturing base in our region can:

  • Remain profitable through business cycles (but break even at the bottom of those cycles)
  • Be recognised internationally
  • Be the best in class in critical, strategic sectors
  • Be customer-focused (with good market information enabling businesses to understand the long-term issues around the markets they supply and operate within).

Who has developed the strategy?

The strategy has been created by Yorkshire Forward’s Manufacturing Taskforce, which included industry leaders, business representatives and support bodies.

How does manufacturing fare in our region?

Because of competition from overseas, manufacturing as a whole is not growing in our region. However, high-tech manufacturing has continued to grow and export, and 4 of its strategic sectors have been chosen to drive growth and development;

  • Advanced engineering and materials AEM)—particularly the multi-sector supply chains 
  • Digital technologies—particularly electronics and control systems
  • Healthcare technologies—particularly devices for assisted living 
  • Low-carbon technologies—such as bio-refining, bio-mass and carbon capture and storage.

These sectors have been chosen because they represent enormous international market opportunities and the region already has substantial experience and expertise in them.

Why does manufacturing matter?

Manufacturing is important because an economically balanced region needs a strong manufacturing base: it’s a high exporter and brings real value into the region. Manufacturing is high on the national agenda and the strategy for Yorkshire & Humber reflects this, ensuring that our region will have the opportunity to play the role it deserves.

What’s the history of manufacturing in our region?

Yorkshire & Humber has a proud history in manufacturing built on the steel, engineering, coal, textile and chemical industries, in particular. However, throughout the ‘70s (when manufacturing accounted for 30% of the region’s economy), the ‘80s and the ‘90s, we saw a massive decline in manufacturing here. This has been partly re-addressed since 2000, through both private and public investments, and there has been a strategic change in the focus of the manufacturing sector in the region. The flagship Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in South Yorkshire, various digital campuses and the Science Park at York are exemplars of a modern sector built around advanced engineering and materials (AEM), digital technologies, healthcare and chemicals, whilst the recent move towards low-carbon industries represents investment in a sub-sector that has many years of opportunity ahead of it.