Facts & Figures
Manufacturing & Engineering East Sussex
At the forefront of high-end technology grow your business in this growing and thriving sector
The UK is currently the 9th largest manufacturing nation in the world, and despite uncertainty around the UK leaving the European Union, engineering and manufacturing in the UK is strong.
The manufacturing industry makes up 10.2 percent of the economy by GVA (gross value added) and employs 2.6 million people. In East Sussex manufacturing is well represented with Hastings, a manufacturing hotspot with 14.5% of GVA in the borough. East Sussex has a higher percentage of commercial space dedicated to industrial use when compared to the national average.
The sector is also diverse, comprising a wide variety of industries and technologies from established sectors such as vacuum/photonics, food and drink, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, electronics and automotive to new industries developing around emerging technologies – low carbon, industrial biotechnology, nanotechnology, digital and advanced materials including composites.
With the globalisation of the manufacturing value chain, manufacturers are able to execute different activities in different global geographies. Competition in domestic and international markets for manufactured goods has intensified.
UK manufacturers now face competition from countries in the west as well as emerging economies, such as Brazil, Russia, India and China. Given the manufacturing landscape, both domestic and global, how will UK SMEs in the sector take advantage of opportunities for growth, as well as manage the bumps in the road that may lie ahead?
A critical factor will be to access the right support and finance. In fact, the health of the UK economy depends on SMEs as the engine of continued growth.
For support and advice on how to progress with your business goals get in touch and one of our team will contact you to discuss you needs.