Protecting UK Manufacturing in a global supply chain
The UK is a major manufacturing power in the world, with particular strengths in cars, engineering products and aerospace among others. That these no longer employ such large numbers predominantly reflects higher productivity, and has been seen in all developed countries.
UK manufacturing now faces new challenges arising from trade barriers to the EU. Much of our production has taken place within cross-European supply chains, and new costs may mean the UK is increasingly seen as uncompetitive. While remaining within European and global standards frameworks, we are no longer involved in EU regulatory bodies and rules, with an inevitable loss of influence. It is unclear that we could replace lost European trade with greater global exports.
This session of the UK Trade and Business Commission examined the future of UK manufacturing with companies, representative bodies, and experts. In particular it looked at how the UK can stay competitive in a way that benefits all parts of the country.
Witnesses:
Session 1: A general overview of manufacturing (10.00am - 11.00am)
Professor Jillian MacBryde, Professor of Innovation and Operations Management, Strathclyde University
Dr Carmen Torres-Sánchez, Reader in Multifunctional Materials Manufacturing, Executive Director, Centre for Doctoral Training in Embedded Intelligence
Simon Collingwood, Head of External Affairs and Communications, Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, University of Sheffield
Jack Semple, Manufacturing Technologies Association
Session 2: Manufacturing and Trade (11.00am - 12.00pm)
Tim Ward, Principle Consultant, Trade in Goods/Rules of Origin
Richard Rumbelow, Director, International Trade & Member Relations, MakeUK
Simon Collingwood, Head of External Affairs and Communications, Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, University of Sheffield
