Qimtek operates a clearing house for contract manufacturers and their customers; their Contract Manufacturing Index (CMI) tracks the purchasing activity of companies that are looking to outsource work. Following a strong start to 2025 (+52% over Q4-24), there was a further increase of +62% in the 2nd quarter of this year.
The projects are split into 3 groups – machining, fabrication and other – which, in the 2nd quarter of 2025, accounted for 57%, 36% and 8% of projects respectively, although the value balance is different with higher value projects in the fabrication section. The data for Q2-2025 is based on work for 183 companies and 285 projects.
Within the quarter, while April and May were good months, most of the growth was generated in June which was exceptionally strong.
The sub-index for machining was +73% higher than in the 1st quarter of 2025 and +43% higher than a year earlier, with business worth £19.7 million recorded. The fabrication sector was even stronger with quarter-on-quarter growth of +80% and 127% (more than double) higher than in Q2-2024 – business here was worth £21.9 million. In contrast, the “other” section saw business -34% lower than the previous quarter and at a level broadly the same as a year ago – the total value in this section was £2.5 million.
By industry sector, there was a change in the usual order of activity with the automotive industry accounting for the largest share of projects at 36%; this was followed by the marine industry (18%), with the usually leading sector of industrial machinery (16%). Other important sectors in Q2-2025 were consumer products (13%) and heavy vehicles and construction equipment (8%).
You can get more details on this report from the Qimtek website at https://www.qimtek.co.uk/blog/qimtek-contract-manufacturing-index-quarter-2-2025.