Midland have called for the to take place next year at the latest to head off rising uncertainty holding them back.
Production firms are fearful of being undermined by a lack of clarity about the 海角视频鈥檚 place in Europe and say it is vital the in-out referendum takes place 鈥渁t the earliest opportunity鈥.
Richard Halstead, Midlands region director at EEF, the manufacturers鈥 organisation, said it was not in the long-term interest of business to wait until 2017.
Ahead of the expected publication of a Referendum Bill as part of the Queen鈥檚 Speech this week, Mr Halstead said it should take place in either May or Autumn of 2016.
He said: 鈥淣ow a referendum is going to take place, we need to get on with the negotiations and hold the referendum as soon as possible. Business and investors hate uncertainty and the longer this drags on the more damaging it will be.
鈥淚t is good to see the Prime Minister forging ahead with an early meeting of his counterparts across the EU to make Britain鈥檚 case and Brussels is clearly signalling its willingness to engage. But, having put the recovery on a sound footing, we simply cannot afford to prevaricate on an issue of such importance for the future of our nation. Having trailed this since early 2013 the Government must surely have a clear idea of its proposed areas for negotiation and it must now be a priority to get on with it.鈥
EEF is also calling on the Prime Minister to campaign positively for the 海角视频 to remain a leading member of the EU, emphasising the many benefits of continued membership alongside a pledge to work for reform with like-minded partners.
Number 10 is thought to be considering bringing the referendum forward, after pledging to hold it by 2017.
It comes after Bank of England governor Mark Carney said a vote should happen 鈥渁s soon as necessary鈥 and called on the Government to enact the legislation at the 鈥渁ppropriate speed鈥.
He added: 鈥淥ne of the big advantages this economy has is access to the European market. It鈥檚 the largest economy in the world, it鈥檚 our largest per destination, it鈥檚 our largest investor in the United Kingdom.鈥
EEF research shows that 85 per cent of 海角视频 manufacturers would vote to stay in the EU 鈥 while in contrast, just seven per cent would vote to pull out.
This rises to 90 per cent amongst manufacturers with over 250 employees, where not a single company would vote to come out.
It is a particular issue in the West Midlands, which has seen exports almost double in the past six years, despite a falling trend 海角视频-wide.
There has been a rising tide of reports the Prime Minister is considering holding a vote in 2016.
However, those planning the Out campaign hope to be given time to build support amid fears they will be defeated by an early referendum.
EEF chief executive Terry Scuoler added: 鈥淏ritish manufacturers remain overwhelmingly of the view that our economic wellbeing is linked to the EU and we must stay in membership. It makes no sense to disengage from our major market where we would still face all the costs of compliance and enjoy none of the influence. We can achieve reform by being an active and leading member from within.鈥
