More than 60 organisations take part in key report for SW future
A new report details ‘growth potential’ for key sectors of the south west’s manufacturing industry.
The Great South West Partnership has released its anticipated findings for the region’s high value manufacturing sector. Its’ study positions the south west as being ‘a key player in the UK’s renewed Industrial Strategy.’
The report was developed in collaboration with the High Value Manufacturing Catapult. This is the UK’s research, development, and innovation agency for manufacturing. More than 60 organisations from across the region also took part in its compilation.
The report highlights ‘the South West’s potential to drive innovation, support clean energy, and contribute to national resilience, while creating high-value jobs across multiple key sectors.’
High value manufacturing is a key pillar in the Great South West’s economic growth strategy.
With £7.9 billion of Gross Value Added (GVA) generated annually by the sector, the South West is seen to be a growing powerhouse in manufacturing which helps to contributing to national resilience, innovation and economic security.
The report has identified the South West’s strengths across a number of key sectors, including: aerospace, marine, defence, clean energy and the food and drink industry.
As such, the region itself is seen as being closely aligned with the Government’s focus on ‘clean power, harnessing data and the building of a resilient economy.’
‘Resilience and security’
The Great South West Partnership says the ‘strengths in these industries will be vital to the UK’s future economic resilience and security, with world-class assets in defence, energy, and food and drink providing significant growth opportunities.’
‘High value manufacturing is a cornerstone of our region’s economy, reflecting our world-class innovation and competitive edge in the global market,’ says Karl Tucker, Chair of the Great South West Partnership.
‘We have the talent, the infrastructure, and the ambition to support the UK’s Industrial Strategy, particularly in green energy and defence. Now we need the Government’s support to ensure that our industries continue to grow and thrive.’
‘This report highlights the transformative potential of advanced manufacturing in the Great South West,’ says Katherine Bennett CBE, CEO of High Value Manufacturing Catapult.
‘The insights it provides are critical to understanding how we can accelerate the commercialisation of innovations, strengthen the UK’s manufacturing base, and unlock opportunities for high-value jobs and prosperous communities.’
‘We look forward to working with partners across the region to bring these opportunities to life.’
‘The Great South West demonstrates a breadth of ability, ambition and supply chains supporting advanced manufacturing sectors that would be the envy of any other region,’ explains Karen Friendship, Managing Director at Plymouth-based metal fabricator, Alderman Tooling.
‘We need Government to recognise our talents, from the depths of Cornwall to the Somerset and Dorset borders, and invest in us to achieve the economic growth we all desire.’
The report will now serve as a key document for collaboration between businesses, universities, and stakeholders to drive the sector forward.
The Great South West Partnership will use the findings to engage with Government and investors with the aim of unlocking new opportunities for the region’s manufacturing capabilities.
An aim of ‘unlocking new opportunities for region’s manufacturing capabilities.’ Image: Shutterstock.
The report coincides with the launch of the Great South West Independent Economic Review (IER), which offers a blueprint for driving investment and growth across the South West.
The IER, which will be published in full in October 2024, sets out the strategic importance of the region to the future success and security of the UK.
Report ‘highlights the huge impact of high value manufacturing’
‘This report highlights the huge impact of high value manufacturing in the Great South West,’ says Jon Hurrell, Managing Director at Sellectronics, an electronics manufacturer based in Falmouth.
‘The sector provides high levels of economic benefit for the area through skilled jobs and the communities they support.’
‘The information this report provides is crucial to increasing the understanding of the Great South West at Government level.’
‘With Government’s backing, the Great South West can continue to accelerate growth in the high value manufacturing sector, whilst securing new opportunities for investment.’
‘Supacat is a defence contractor and immensely proud that over 90% of our supply chain for defence vehicles is sourced from the South West,’ explains Lizzie Jones, Operations Director at SC Group and Supacat.
‘This review of the South West illustrates the crucial part we play in contributing to national defence, innovation, manufacturing and high-value jobs which make our communities and the Great South West region a success.’
‘We look forward to building on this success, with improved national infrastructure links and support to skills training in particular.’
‘A drive for growth, prosperity, sustainability and long-term security’
‘The region is often viewed simply as a tourist destination and our capabilities in advanced manufacturing are overlooked,’ says Alun Reece, Managing Director at Loop Technology, a specialist industrial automation and robotics company in Dorset.
‘The work the Great South West Partnership is doing to provide a cohesive regional voice is fundamental in informing Government of the untapped potential here.’
‘With joined-up thinking and proactive support, our world-leading businesses can lead the drive for growth, prosperity, sustainability and long-term security.’
‘As a high-tech manufacturer of laboratory robotics for a global life-sciences market, we’ve been happily operating from Somerset since the 70s,’ says Harry Singer, CEO at Singer Instruments.
‘What our geography adds to our employee value proposition has been one of our superpowers in terms of attracting talent and building culture.’
‘I like to think we’re a great showcase for innovative companies thriving in a geography that is commonly only thought of as a holiday destination.’
It follows the first meeting, since the General Election, of the South West’s All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) which aims to provide a voice for a range of businesses and enterprises across the region.
It’s envisaged that the APPG for the Great South West will serve as a ‘vital platform for parliamentarians to collaborate with local councils, businesses and universities.’
