UK manufacturing in 2017 – an innovative approach

According to the January 2017 figures from the CBI, UK manufacturers are optimistic and reporting strong growth. The CBI’s quarterly Industrial Survey showed that domestic orders were rising and export orders also continue to grow.

What we hear on the ground, both locally in East Hampshire and further afield can be somewhat different to this trend. We heard of one local manufacturing business that has really struggled to keep up the momentum throughout 2016, just keeping its head above water.

On reflection, our own experience at Morgan Innovation & Technology is quite different to what one would normally think of as a manufacturing business. Because we are both a manufacturing and invention business under one roof, when we work with clients, this is what happens – we generate brand new manufacturing demand.

In all the grand reports about manufacturing, is the inventor and innovation community mentioned sufficiently? We would rather think it isn’t recognised enough. We believe that there is a direct link between science, engineering and invention; and its partner-in-crime, manufacturing. The 2012 Olympics opening ceremony celebrated the innovation and engineering that has been long embedded in the national psyche, and this is what we are talking about.

Every time we see one of our clients, to discuss intricate design details, product improvements and engineering problems, we are moving along the road to creating more final products that will need manufacture; moreover, manufacturing being done here in the UK. That’s progress. That’s creativity. That’s new manufacturing business, grown from within.

The importance of the inventor/innovator community – whether they are people in companies, entrepreneurs, individuals, universities or maker hubs should be welcomed and celebrated. TV programmes such as the Big Life Fix are one example of how society embraces people like ourselves.

Yes, in our case, UK manufacturing is looking up, and we do not have to look too far to see it grow!