The Midlands is the leading force of UK manufacturing, powering people and unlocking productivity for growth and prosperity.

Our diverse strengths range from as cars and medicines, to textiles and food, all led by innovative businesses and world-leading research centres.

The sector generates £36 billion GVA into the UK economy each year, with huge potential for more. With a unique concentration of R&D energy infrastructure and wide-ranging manufacturing capabilities, the Midlands is ideally placed to become a national and global centre for net zero technology. Innovation strengths include advanced materials and manufacturing, electronics, photonics, energy and environment technologies.

As new challenges arise such as changing import and export patterns and the growth of digital technologies, our manufacturing sector is innovating and adapting – we are seizing exceptional opportunities for growth.

Recently, the Midlands Engine Observatory has conducted research, in consultation with partners, to better understand the strengths and challenges within the manufacturing sector. The first part of this research covers the range of products already made in our region, and the second explores the potential opportunities for manufacturing.