We’re seeing a real shift right now – it seems as if UK manufacturing has returned to growth mode once more, and it’s not by accident either. Recent figures show us that industries like aerospace, shipbuilding and machinery are growing and leading this shift, having increased total manufacturing output to a whopping £153.1 billion in the first quarter of 2025.
That makes a solid 1.3% rise from the same time last year. And, as a result, there’s plenty of extra opportunity on its way across the manufacturing sector.
Ships, Planes and Machines
The shipbuilding and aerospace sectors are really making the headlines here. In fact, the UK built more ships, aircraft, boats and spacecraft than it did a year ago by a combined increase of over £2.2 billion.
Shipbuilding on its own was worth £2.8 billion, with aerospace production standing at £7.7 billion. The signs suggest that the demand for British-made vessels and aircraft is strengthening even more, which is great news for those in the sector and a real sign to start scaling up.
But what’s helping these industries to meet this increased demand? Well, that would be precision engineering and high-quality machinery and tools like the Roscamat electric tapping machines that are available from specialist suppliers such as https://www.cotswold-machinery-sales.co.uk/roscamat-tapping-machines/electric-tapping-machines/roscamat-tiger-electric-tapping-machine. Machines like these help manufacturers to speedily produce the components needed to keep everything from satellites to ships running smoothly. Scaling up means investing in reliable and high-performance equipment for the sector and its future as growth continues.
Manufacturing and the Headlines
Although it might be the ships and planes that have been grabbing the headlines and spotlight recently, other areas of manufacturing have seen growth too. Metal and machinery output, food product manufacturing, and the textile and leather industries also saw some pretty healthy growth and gains. That means that UK manufacturing really is showing its resilience, despite a sometimes-difficult landscape.
Not every sector had such a good quarter, as pharmaceuticals, petrol products and electronics did see some small dips. However, the bigger picture is looking really healthy for UK manufacturing.
