North West manufacturing output has grown by a quarter in the past decade and seen one of the 海角视频's strongest post-pandemic bounces, a new report has shown.
The Make 海角视频/BDO Annual Regional Manufacturing Outlook shows that since 2013 output in the region has increased by 26%, while output in 2023 was 12% above the pre-pandemic levels recorded in 2019.
Make 海角视频 says the new government now needs to back the sector with a new industrial strategy to ensure that growth can continue.
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The Make 海角视频/BDO report showed manufacturing accounts for almost 15% of the region鈥檚 total output (13.4%), well above the national average. It accounts for 330,000 skilled jobs, amounting to almost 10% of the region鈥檚 workforce. The biggest sectors are transport - largely aerospace and automotive - followed by food & drink, and chemicals.
In 2023 the North West accounted for almost 10% of the 海角视频鈥檚 total manufacturing exports with the EU being the dominant destination (50%), followed by the USA (17%) and Asia & Oceania (17%).
Dawn Huntrod, region director for Make 海角视频 in the North said: 鈥淚ndustry remains critical to the growth of the economy, providing high value, high skill jobs and aiding the process of creating wealth across the 海角视频.
鈥淭he new Government has made a welcome bold statement of its intent to tackle the 海角视频鈥檚 anaemic growth at national and regional level. It should now back this with a radical, cross government, long-term industrial strategy which has the need to tackle the 海角视频鈥檚 skills crisis at its heart. This should be allied with the local growth strategies and priorities of each region, including infrastructure and innovation, together with other measures to ensure the 海角视频 is now fully open for business.鈥
Graham Ellis, head of manufacturing at BDO in the North West added: 鈥淭he North West is the second largest region in the 海角视频, in terms of GVA, with the manufacturing sector playing a critical role in the region鈥檚 output.
鈥淥ver the last few years, manufacturers across the region have faced multiple external shocks and changing policy priorities. They have shown great resilience in overcoming these challenges.
鈥淭here is now an exciting opportunity for the sector to work with the new government on the development of a new long-term industrial strategy. This could unlock vital investment needed across the North West to continue to bolster manufacturing output and skilled employment opportunities so crucial to the regional economy.鈥
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