It has become almost a truism to say that British manufacturing has declined irreversibly over the last half century and that ‘we don’t make things anymore’. But the pessimism of such statements is increasingly balanced by a recognition that what we have lost in quantity, we have made up for in quality, with Britain being one of the most advanced engineering and design economies in the world.
Manufacturing still accounts for approximately 11% of GVA, 45% of exports, 69% of R&D and employs 2.7m people (source: Made UK). An April 2021 survey of 288 manufacturers by the CBI recorded the sharpest rise in optimism since 1973. Sectors such as renewable energy, transportation, electronics and chemicals are thriving. Industry 4.0, automation, and smart logistics are redefining the way manufacturers go to market, while raising barriers to entry. In distribution, buyers have come to expect the same levels of service that they enjoy as consumers, which means 24-hour delivery with complete track-and-trace visibility, while investment in sustainable packaging and drone delivery continues apace. Fairgrove has extensive experience in manufacturing and distribution, where we work with owners and investors to grow profitable sales, enter new markets, raise service levels and execute transactions.
Fairgrove experience
Fairgrove has experience of the following sub-sectors within manufacturing and distribution. (Our experience in Automotive can be found here):
- Access Control Hardware
- Aerospace Components
- Aerospace Fasteners
- Agricultural Machinery and Parts
- Building Products
- Contractor Supplies
- Electric Fans and Pumps
- Energy Converters
- Fasteners, Nuts & Bolts
- Human Machine Interfaces
- Hydraulic Parts
- Hydroponics & Controlled-Environment Farming
- Industrial Automation
- Industrial Fasteners
- Industrial HVAC systems
- Insulation Materials
- Lumber/Timber Distribution
- Medical Instruments and Components
- Mobile Phone Recycling
- Moulded Plastics
- Packaging Machinery
- PCB Manufacturing
- Printer Components
- Prosthetics & Orthotics
- Specialist Toilets
- Steel Production
- Telecoms Asset Maintenance
- Temporary Events Construction
- Turbine Blades
- Winemaking & Wholesale
