A new survey from the CBI says manufacturers are seeing order books weaken as a result of the continuing instability in the Eurozone.

UK manufacturers predict that production will continue to grow over the next three months despite order book levels slackening during September, according to the latest monthly Industrial Trends Survey from the CBI.

Of 470 manufacturers surveyed, 22% described total orders as above normal, and 31% said they were below. The CBI says the resulting balance of -9% indicates order book levels slipped back in September, though this measure remains…

Raw material costs and shortages are driving manufacturers to make ‘radical’ changes to how they work, according to a survey released by EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation and RBS.

The survey shows that almost half of companies have redesigned products or processes in response to rising materials prices and 40% admitted to substituting some inputs with cheaper alternatives. Nearly two-thirds of companies have sought different sourcing options with just over 4…

Britain’s manufacturers are continuing to drive UK economic growth on the back of export-led demand, with manufacturers optimistic about growth prospects in the short term, according to the second quarter 2011 Manufacturing Outlook survey published today by EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation and BDO LLP.

The survey shows output and orders balances turned out as strong as expected in the last quarter, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of growth. And…

Chinese manufacturer Power Link Machine Co has unveiled its new European HQ in Yorkshire, creating at least 15 new jobs.

The fast growing international company is aiming for its UK operation, based at Sherburn Enterprise Park near Leeds, to grow to a turnover of £10m within two years.

From its Yorkshire base Power Link is looking to establish itself as a European leader in the manufacture and distribution of diesel power…

The majority of manufacturing firms in the Leeds City Region who attended a keynote business breakfast in Leeds this week say they are planning to invest for growth this year. Nearly every firm at the Leeds Manufacturing breakfast seminar said they have growth plans in 2011.

While the skills gap and over-regulation present continuing problems for manufacturing companies, management from firms including…

The verdict is still out on the prospects for the UK economy, according to Andrew Cook, chairman of William Cook Holdings, interviewed this week in the Yorkshire Post. But he is confident about the future for the family-owned steel castings manufacturer, which is investing £5 million in its Leeds site and expects to create up to 150 skilled jobs across the group this year.

Cook says the new…

Following a turbulent few months, funding has finally been secured which will enable the Manufacturing Advisory Service Yorkshire & Humber (MAS Y&H) to continue to play a vital role in supporting the region’s small and medium-sized manufacturers.

MAS Y&H provides hands-on advice and support to manufacturing businesses to improve productivity and efficiency. It is jointly funded by Yorkshire Forward and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and is…

Posted by guest blogger, David Raistrick UK manufacturing industry leader for Deloitte, based in Leeds

The number of manufacturing companies falling into administration in the first quarter of this year declined by 18 per cent to 86 compared with 105 in the same period last year, according to research by Deloitte, the business advisory firm. 

David Raistrick, UK manufacturing industry leader based at Deloitte in Leeds, comments:

“The…

Bus manufacturer Optare has announced that it will keep its main manufacturing operation in Yorkshire after signing a 17 year lease on a new 140,000 sq ft factory in Sherburn in Elmet. It is the first new bus assembly plant to open in the UK for 40 years. Facilities at the new plant will allow the company to build up to 1,200 buses a year. According to reports on