The West Country's aerospace, defence and marine sectors have helped boost manufacturing across the region as the year draws to a close, a new report has found.
Manufacturing output growth remained positive on the back of a strong performance from 海角视频 orders, according to the latest Make 海角视频 and BDO research.
The survey found the balance on output was +22% - strong by historic standards - with the positive picture set to continue in the first quarter of next year with a forecast order balance of +30%.
Investment intentions also performed fairly strongly (+23%) while recruitment in the region held up at +30% despite pre-Budget speculation. This contrasts with most other regions where job prospects fell ahead of the Budget.
However, growth forecasts for the sector generally remain weak with output forecast to grow by just 0.5% this year and contract by -0.5% in 2026.
Keri Anne Mruk, region director of Make 海角视频 in the South West, said: 鈥淎fter a period of considerable uncertainty in global markets, these figures are an encouraging sign that South West manufacturers鈥 confidence is improving and, more importantly, being translated into growth and investment.
"To build on this, given the 海角视频鈥檚 eye watering industrial energy costs it鈥檚 now vital that Government brings forward the proposed business energy support scheme as fast as possible and expands it across the sector to the broadest number of companies.鈥
Matthew Sewell, head of manufacturing at BDO in the South West added: "This year has been a volatile one for 海角视频 manufacturers. Whilst the last quarter has shown solid signs of growth for the South West, the sector needs to feel assured to enable them to put their hands in their pockets and invest.
"Last month鈥檚 Budget gave manufacturers some relief in terms of investment, green transition and some positive skills measures but it fell short in addressing some of the biggest concerns the sector is facing. Businesses need decisive action if growth is to be realised.鈥
