The UK’s manufacturing industry has experienced a tumultuous past few years due to the pandemic. While the latest quarterly surveys on the state of the sector predict shrinkage in 2023, there are some signs of growth returning. In this article we will look at how the pandemic changed manufacturing, the continued pains felt after, and where growth may be returning.
How the pandemic changed manufacturing
The pandemic has brought about many changes to the UK’s manufacturing industry, with supply chain issues being one of the most heavily felt. The disruption caused by the coronavirus led to significant delays in goods and products arriving at their final destinations as companies scrambled to find new suppliers and logistics routes. This, combined with the increased costs associated with finding new suppliers, has had an impact on the industry.
At the same time, however, there was an increase in demand for certain sectors due to lockdowns and changing consumer habits. For example, E-Liquid manufacturers UK saw a spike in interest as consumers moved more of their purchases online. This shift in sales channels, coupled with the increase in demand for E-Liquids and other vaping products, created an interesting opportunity for growth in a sector that was previously largely overlooked.
The continued pains felt after
Despite some positive signs of growth returning to the industry, there are still several issues that manufacturers face. Supply chain issues remain despite attempts by companies to find new suppliers and logistics routes. Additionally, increased costs due to rising inflation and other global issues have made it difficult for firms to remain competitive in their price points. This has resulted in many companies cutting back on production or halting certain product lines entirely, no doubt resulting in some reduction of jobs and economic activity within the industry.
Growth beginning to return
Despite these issues, the growth of the UK manufacturing industry is beginning to return. The latest quarterly surveys on the state of the sector suggest that while there may be a contraction in 2023, it is an improvement on previous predictions. Additionally, some sectors such as E-Liquid manufacturing are continuing to see steady growth.
We have seen this growth first-hand with a rise in brands looking to work with us in bringing their products to the E-Liquid market. This increased interest in the sector has allowed us to expand our production capacity, during and after the pandemic and offer a whole range of services to brands who are looking for a reliable partner. For example, our shift during the pandemic, to producing and bottling hand sanitising products to help meet the high demand for personal protective equipment products.
To wrap things up
In conclusion, while the UK manufacturing industry is still facing many issues as a result of the pandemic, there are some signs of growth returning. The latest surveys on the state of the sector suggest that things are on the mend, and some sectors more than others, are experiencing extra growth. With continued support from the government and a focus on innovation, the UK’s manufacturing industry can look forward to brighter days ahead.