UK manufacturers are optimistic in 2025 says industry survey
The majority of UK manufacturers (63%) believe the opportunities in 2025 outweigh the risks, according to Make UK and PwC’s latest Executive Survey*. The survey polled almost 200 senior manufacturing executives. It asked about the opportunities, risks and challenges they believe their business will face in the year ahead.
Respondents believe the UK will be competitive for manufacturing activities
Manufacturing accounts for 9% of UK GDP and provided 2.6 million jobs in 2024, says the survey. Growth features strongly in the 2025 outlook. Many manufacturers expect to boost their product portfolios or see improvement in economic conditions, for example.
Respondents said:
- 63% will look to explore new products this year
- 63% of companies think that the opportunities to succeed in 2025 outweigh the risks
- 37% expect an improvement in the UK’s economic conditions this year
- 47% see expanding their existing product portfolio as key to growth
- 47% either strongly or somewhat agree that the UK will be a competitive place for manufacturing activities
- 29% will look to technology, cloud and AI to succeed
- 92% of manufacturers believe employment costs will rise
Manufacturers: simplify your employee management to help face the challenges and opportunities of 2025
Employees are a business’s greatest resource, and this is particularly true in the manufacturing sector. Without real people to physically make products or operate machines, the sector would grind to a halt.
As an HR team, your role involves managing daily staff levels, alongside planning to ensure continuity of production. Kelio’s workforce management software will:
- Help you streamline your management of all aspects of HR, including time and attendance, and workforce scheduling
- Interact more efficiently with your employees
- Free up time for the HR team to perform more strategic and high-value work
*161 senior manufacturing executives were surveyed between 24th October and 20th November 2024
