Manufacturing has accelerated into 2017 – conference will be told

Manufacturing has accelerated into 2017, delegates at a major regional conference will be told tomorrow.

Quoting the results of the Quarterly Economic Survey for the first three months of the year, Chris Hobson, Director of Policy at East Midlands Chamber*, will say that performance so far this year has improved even when compared to the very positive end to 2016.

The survey, conducted every three months by the Chamber to build an accurate picture of the region’s economy, showed that in the first quarter of 2017:

• half of manufacturers saw growth in domestic sales and four-out-of-ten reported growth in overseas sales
  
  advance orders for both domestic and overseas markets were impressively up,


• nearly half of manufacturers had increased their workforce to meet growing demand, although over half of those were still struggling to recruit suitably skilled staff


• a third of manufacturers said they planned to increase training budgets


• a quarter said they planned to invest in plant and machinery


• three-quarters said they expected turnover to rise in the coming year, and


• nearly six-out-of-ten anticipated profitability growth for the coming year.

Chris said: “It’s great to see our manufacturers accelerate into 2017, taking advantage of growth in both domestic and international markets, aided by a favourable pound for those exporting. In past surveys, many reported plans to grow into new markets and it may be that we’re starting to see some of those plans being realised.

“There are still uncertainties about how Brexit negotiations may unfold, but what these results show is that manufacturers in the East Midlands will be on the front foot in facing these uncertainties, investing in training and new equipment to make sure they’re as well placed as they can be to rise to the challenges and opportunities that the coming months and years will bring.

“A plan for a long-term successful UK economy must have manufacturers and engineers at its heart. They’re certainly doing their bit to deliver. As we begin negotiations to exit the EU it’s vital that UK policy now does its bit too.”

Over 250 delegates are expected to attend the East Midlands Manufacturing and Engineering Conference and Expo at Loughborough University’s West Park Teaching Hub tomorrow (Tuesday 4 April).

The event will be opened at 8am by Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles, followed by a welcome from Professor Steve Rothberg, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research at Loughborough University.

Nicky Morgan, Member of Parliament for Loughborough, will outline how the Government’s Industrial Strategy will benefit the East Midlands before Chris reports on feedback to the strategy from Chamber members and outlines how well the region is fairing despite the uncertainties around Brexit.

Other keynote speakers will include:

• Steve Halliday, from Rolls-Royce, on creating a competitive edge, innovation and stability


• Alex West, Principal Analyst Manufacturing Technology at IHS Markit, on the impact of new technologies and how they already affect business practice,


• Philip Skipper, Head of Business Development, Vodafone Internet of Things (IoT) on how the internet will connect everything


• Paul Jackson, CEng FIET FIMA, Chief Executive of EngineeringUK, on the February-released State of Engineering Report and the engineering sector’s capacity for growth, and


• Michael Mychajluk, Supply Chain & External Engagement Manager, Government Programmes Jaguar Land Rover, on Creating Competitive Supply Chains.

About 30 companies and organisations with a manufacturing focus are booked to exhibit alongside the conference.