Advanced manufacturing

With the highest concentration of high-value manufacturers and the largest advanced manufacturing workforce in the UK, West Yorkshire is best placed to address the challenges for the future of manufacturing. It provides the perfect location for companies looking to invest, grow and innovate.

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With the growth of Industry 4.0, the region is ready to shape the changing manufacturing landscape and capitalise on new opportunities. Local businesses combine a manufacturing history with centres of excellence in new sectors like AI, robotics, metrology and digitalisation.

Advanced manufacturing generates £7.7 billion to the West Yorkshire economy, contributing 11.5% of its total GVA.

West Yorkshire's manufacturers have strengths across high value subsectors including advanced materials, space, chemicals and textiles.

Global companies like Cummins, Syngenta, Schneider, UK Greetings, Haribo, Burberry and Filtronic have chosen to have a base in the region.

Master makers. West Yorkshire has the highest concentration of high-value manufacturers in the UK. The sector is known worldwide for its scale, diversity and excellence.

6,000

Manufacturing and engineering businesses

111,000

People employed in the sector

500

Apprentices starting each year

16,800

STEM graduates annually

6,000

Manufacturing and engineering businesses

111,000

People employed in the sector

500

Apprentices starting each year

16,800

STEM graduates annually

Engineer Teaching Apprentice To Use Welding Machine

Innovation centre of excellence

West Yorkshire has a network of established academic and research centres of manufacturing excellence.

Institutions like the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre in Huddersfield and research at the Universities of Bradford and Leeds show the collaborative and open approach our region takes to the future of manufacturing processes.

In addition, we are home to the National Physical Laboratory’s only facility outside London. The location was specifically chosen to be close to a concentration of high-value engineering firms which can benefit from the agency’s world-leading research capacities.

Female electrical engineer checking manufacturing parts

Training the next generation of engineers

Our seven universities produce over 16,800 STEM graduates each year, while more than 500 apprentices begin their career in manufacturing.

We have made significant investment in facilities to train the next generation of engineers. This includes the £5 million Kirklees College New Process Engineering Centre and the £11 million University Technical College in Leeds, which specialises in engineering.

How we can help you

With access to hard economic facts, case studies from leading companies and information on available business support, we can help you make the case for investing in West Yorkshire. Contact our experts for more information. All of our services are complementary, confidential and tailored to your needs.

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