North West Manufacturing: The UK’s £21bn industrial powerhouse

MANUFACTURING businesses in the North West employ nearly 400,000 people, and generate more than £21bn a year, making the region the industrial powerhouse of the UK.

In our supplement, produced in association with law firm DLA Piper, we look at how the manufacturing sector in the region is internationally-focused, adaptable and resilient, even in tough times.

Click here to read our supplement North West Manufacturing: Resilience and Growth Through Diversity.

The North West is home to some household names, from food manufacturers Kellogg’s and Warburtons to car manufacturers Vauxhall, Bentley and Jaguar LandRover.

They, and other manufacturers, large and small, have faced a fight to stay ahead of the game in terms of productivity, service excellence and innovation.

Those who have come through the difficulties of the last three years have come out stronger, but they have had to evolve and improve to stay in business.

By keeping innovation and research and development (R&D) at the heart
of what they do businesses in the sector can continue to compete.

Peter Brook, a partner at DLA Piper in Liverpool, says manufacturers have to move with the trends and keep up with new technologies and innovation if they are to thrive.

“As ever, it will be those who embrace the change and exploit the new opportunities to the full that will come out ahead, ” he says.