Manufacturing Outlook Report

Find out how we are continuing to Back British Manufacturing.

2025 was an interesting year for the manufacturing community. According to a MAKE UK report published in September 2025, the UK is positioned 11th in global manufacturing rankings, reflecting how important a sector it is for the UK, and that it is a key strategic industry to bring the growth needed in the UK economy. It also reiterates that UK manufacturing continues to ‘punch above its weight’ in global economic and geopolitical terms, despite the continuing challenges that are presented.

This is borne out by participants’ encouraging indications of an expectation of growth from our latest survey.

Despite the headwinds, optimism across the sector remains strong. 66% of respondents expect their business to grow over the next 12 months, signalling confidence in demand, adaptability, and the long‑term prospects of UK manufacturing.

The introduction of an Industrial Strategy, combined with ongoing global shifts, is set to provide further momentum. These developments position UK manufacturing to return to the centre of national wealth creation and growth. At Crowe, we remain committed to supporting the sector in building resilience, seizing emerging opportunities, and managing risks to secure a successful future.