North West industry remains UK powerhouse

EEF North West Region Director, Darrell Matthews

The North West has increased its position as the powerhouse of the UK’s manufacturing sector and is now an increasingly critical factor in the region’s economic growth, according to analysis of official statistics published by EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation.

According to the analysis, manufacturing employs some 315,000 people in the region and is worth 14.2% of UK manufacturing output. The analysis also shows the North West has seen the strongest increase in its share of manufacturing output any UK region.

The growth is being driven by a broad spectrum of manufacturing companies across the region, from food and drink to healthcare, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, as well as the Aerospace and Automotive sectors which have a long tail down the supply chain and have seen significant investment.

The growth is also being driven by manufacturing exports, especially to emerging economies in the Far East and Middle East.

Commenting, EEF North West Region Director, Darrell Matthews, said: “Manufacturing has always been critical to the North West economy and the latest data only serves to underline its continued importance. At a time when we need to rebalance our economy and export our way to economic growth, policymakers across the Region need to recognise its’ importance and do all they can to boost investment in our manufacturing base.

"Not only will this sustain the current levels of employment but help create the high value, high skill jobs we urgently need.”