You may have heard someone say, “We don’t make anything in the UK anymore. It’s all gone to China.” You are not alone. This, alongside recent closures of manufacturing sites, continues to feed that narrative. However, this perception is far from accurate. While it is true that some sectors have seen changes, the idea that the UK no longer manufactures anything is a misconception. The UK is, in fact, still a significant player in global manufacturing, producing a wide range of products across many industries.
UK Manufacturing
Certain manufacturing operations have been shifted abroad, with many businesses outsourcing production to the Far East. However, this does not mean the UK’s manufacturing industry has vanished. The UK remains a global leader in several key manufacturing sectors.
According to the figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), the total value of UK manufacturers’ product sales was £456.1b in 2023, an increase of £17.2b 3.9% from £438.9 billion in 2022. Food manufacturing remains the largest, representing 20.8% of total manufacturers’ sales in 2023.
Automotive manufacturing showed the most significant increase, up by £9.6b 22.0% in 2023 to £53.3b. Iconic companies like Rolls Royce, Triumph Motorcycles, Aston Martin, and McLaren continue to be proudly produced in the UK, contributing significantly to the economy and the country’s international reputation for high-quality craftsmanship. Surprisingly, even with the rise of electric and hydrogen engines in the industry, vehicles with a spark ignition internal combustion engine above 1,500 cubic centimetres saw the largest value increase for any single product in 2023, rising by £4.0b 23.4% to £21.2b.
Furthermore, the UK’s pharmaceutical sector is a beacon of success. In 2021, the annual turnover of pharmaceutical goods wholesalers in the UK was over £57b. The United Kingdom’s pharmaceutical market is among the top 10 national markets, holding some 2.3% of the global pharmaceutical sector.
Other sectors of the manufacturing industry that are important to mention include: – food, drink, tobacco, paper, printing, publishing and textiles. Examples of major companies in these industries include Diageo Beverages, Cadbury Confectionaries, HarperCollins publishers and Tate and Lyle sugars, Associated British Foods (ABF) besides fashion, the company is one of the world’s largest sugar producers, the UK’s largest animal feed business, and provides companies with specialty yeast ingredients. Combined with the operations of its grocery division, all these operations generated just under £20b in 2024 revenue.
A global manufacturing leader
When we look at the bigger picture, the numbers speak for themselves. The UK ranks 8th in the world for manufacturing, a position that many would find surprising. From ONS figures, we see the sector has grown steadily at an average rate of 1.4% annually since 1948; this is far from a story of decline.
The UK’s annual turnover in the automotive industry alone is £71.6 billion, contributing £12.4 billion to the economy. These numbers highlight that British manufacturing remains powerful despite the challenges it faces in a globalised market.
The future of manufacturing
While UK manufacturing is not on the decline, it is on the verge of a shift. Smaller artisan producers have struggled with the cost of modernisation needed to scale their business. Industry 4.0 technologies and the evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are being introduced to enhance productivity and improve quality control. As these technologies become more affordable and integrated into production processes, the UK is positioning itself to become even more competitive. This change will allow the sector to remain flexible and respond to market shifts more effectively.
The idea that the UK no longer manufactures anything is a myth. Yes, it is true that some industries have declined, with more cost-effective mass production overseas. However, the UK remains a global leader in key sectors such as food and pharmaceuticals. With steady growth since the 1940s, a robust contribution to the economy, and an eye on future technology advancements, the UK is very much in the game, and the future looks bright.
