Industry facts

THE UK MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY SECTOR

We estimate that turnover for the manufacturing technology sector in the UK in 2012 was about £1.4 billion, of which more than 80% is exported.

Data on the output of machine tools, cutting tools and tool/work-holding equipment gives a total of around £960 million, of which £835 million was exported.  Beyond this, we have to rely on estimates; we believe that output of metrology equipment is worth in the region of £350 million, again with a high export ratio; finally, the turnover for other manufacturing technology is estimated at £100 million, giving the total of £1.4 billion.

LOCATION & EMPLOYMENT

Machine tool manufacturers are located across the UK, with concentrations in the Midlands and West Yorkshire.  Companies in the cutting tool sector are mainly based in the West Midlands and around Sheffield, but again, there is wide geographical spread.

From MTA estimates, UK machine tool manufacturing businesses employed 6,100 people at the end of 2012; this compares with 5,800 at the same point in 2011.  Equivalent data for the other elements of the manufacturing technology industry is not available.

These numbers seem relatively small when set alongside some other sectors, but the key to their importance is the centrality of the manufacturing technology sector to all other manufacturing sectors. Without it they literally cannot work.

You can download a full statistical report on the industry below