Manufacturers in Liverpool city region and across the North West defy the economic gloom to continue growing output, new data shows. Tony McDonough reports
Manufacturing output in the North West is counting to grow despite the volatility in the economy.
According to the latest Make UK/BDO Annual Regional Manufacturing Outlook, output in the sector in this region is a fifth higher than that recorded in 2019. It accounts for 13% of the North West’s total economic output.
It also contributes 335,000 skilled jobs, an addition of 3,000 jobs since 2023 and almost 10% of the region’s employment overall.
Make UK says the growth in performance of manufacturing in the North West has been driven by the aerospace and defence sectors which are seeing a large boost in investment, as well as the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors.
Three major sectors make up half of North West manufacturing production with the largest being the transport sector (largely aerospace) with almost a quarter (23.5%) of industrial output in the region.
This is followed by the food and drink sector at 13.9% and then pharmaceuticals at 11.6%. In 2024 the North West accounted for almost 10% of the UK’s total goods exports with the EU being the dominant destination (50%) followed by North America (18%) and Asia & Oceania (17%).
Dawn Huntrod, region director for Make UK in the North, said: “Industry remains critical to the growth of the North West economy, providing high value, high skill jobs and aiding the process of creating wealth across the region.
“The Government has made a welcome bold statement of its intent to tackle the UK’s anaemic growth at national and regional level with its industrial and trade strategies.
“This should now be allied with the local growth strategies and priorities of each region, including infrastructure and innovation, together with other measures to ensure the UK is an attractive place to do business.”
Here in Liverpool city region, family-owned manufacturers are also being bold by investing to grow. In February Bootle window and door manufacturer Warwick North West announced a £1m investment in new machinery to increase productivity and create more jobs.
Also in Bootle, branded clothing and merchandise maker Wild Thang, has invested more than £2m in expanding its production facility. It also expanded into the Republic of Ireland and the US and has invested heavily in a net zero drive.
Graham Ellis, head of manufacturing in the North West at BDO, added: “The Government has made clear that their industrial strategy is proudly place based and these results remind us that manufacturing in the North West is a great place to start.
“The manufacturing sector is worth a staggering £3bn a year to the region’s economy and contributes 335,000 highly skilled jobs. In the midst of an employment crisis these stats show the importance of manufacturing to the economic health of the region.”