Manufacturing
Manufacturing is one of the key sectors for our local economy. In its various guises manufacturing employs almost 40,000 people in Leeds alone. On a national level it amounts to around one seventh of UK GDP, contributes approximately half of our exports, carries out three quarters of business research and development - and the UK is the sixth largest manufacturing location in the world.
Our involvement in manufacturing sector stems from an enviable client base of local manufacturing businesses that enables us to keep in regular contact with issues in the sector. We build on this platform by speaking to businesses and other professionals in the region and by attending events aimed specifically at manufacturing businesses such as those organised by Leeds Manufacturing and the EEF.
Whilst we don't profess to be 'manufacturing consultants' we do have a deep understanding of and an affinity with the issues that local manufacturing companies face such as:
- The merits of taking their manufacturing operations offshore;
- Taking advantage of sales opportunities that exist in emerging and shifting international markets;
- Maximising manufacturing efficiency and increased automation (‘Lean manufacturing’);
- Access to finance to fund capital expenditure, research and development and innovation;
- Raw material price volatility;
- Exchange rate volatility;
- Bad debt risk and lack of or reduced levels of credit insurance cover;
- High levels of corporation tax and a tax regime that is increasingly discouraging capital expenditure and investment in research and development;
- Getting good quality staff as a consequence of misinformed poor public perception of the sector and successive government’s apparent lack of success in changing this preconception and in investing sufficiently in the training of skilled operatives;
- Increasing levels of red tape which make the UK uncompetitive with offshore rivals because of the time and cost involved and
- Counterfeiting of processes, products and websites by overseas competitors.
It is all of our interests that the manufacturing thrives to secure our country’s economic future. We have a passionate interest in continuing to play an active role in supporting businesses in this crucial sector.
Our Head of Manufacturing previously had a similar role as head of Manufacturing at the Leeds office of a top 6 international practice and has over 25 years experience of servicing and advising a wide spectrum of manufacturing businesses.
For more information about how we could help your business please contact our Head of Manufacturing, Neill Rayland on 0113 389 6203 or email neill.rayland@kirknewsholme.co.uk.
Links:
Manufacturing Advisory Service
EEF
UKTI
Keyworth Institute
Leeds Manufacturing
The Manufacturer Magazine
BERR - Manufacturing
SEMTA
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