Manufacturers in the city of Leeds have risen to the challenges of globalisation with a winning combination of enterprise and innovation that is enabling them to build market leadership and win new business in the face of fierce competition from overseas.

Leeds is the UK’s third largest manufacturing centre, with over 1900 firms employing 38,900 people. Manufacturing accounts for 8% of total employment in Leeds and generates over 11% of the city's total £15 billion output.

Despite international trends towards outsourcing manufacture to developing economies, Leeds companies have maintained and enhanced their position globally through innovation, diversification, and a shift into high tech product solutions and processes which are difficult to replicate.

Paul Stephens, Leeds City Council's chief economic services officer said: "There are some highly innovative companies based in the city, pushing the boundaries and, in some cases, leading the world in their respective fields."

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