National Manufacturing Day 2025: Building a Smarter, Stronger Future for UK Industry
By Adam Leggett, Managing Director
This Thursday, we join manufacturers across the country in celebrating National Manufacturing Day 2025, a moment to showcase the strength and opportunity of UK industry.
Contributing over £220billion to GDP, UK manufacturing is very much the backbone of our national economy. With the UK currently ranked the 11th largest manufacturing nation globally, this is a position that reflects both our proud industrial heritage and the innovation still being driven today.
Yet beyond the celebrations, the real question we must ask is: how do we maintain and grow this standing in an increasingly competitive global market?
Adapting to a Changing World
The pace of change in our industry is faster than ever. From the pressures of global supply chains to rising material and energy costs, manufacturing businesses of all sizes face challenges that demand constant adaptability, especially SMEs.
For me, one of the biggest opportunities lies in digitalisation and automation. As a nation, we are still behind our international peers in adopting advanced technologies that can transform productivity. At Dyer, we’ve placed digital innovation at the heart of our growth strategy. Our award winning digital transformation programme has already delivered real improvements across efficiency, quality and data visibility.
But this is just the start. A common misconception is that automation is about replacing people, but it’s actually about enabling our skilled teams to focus on higher value work and increasing capacity. As part of our growth strategy, we plan to invest £6m in new machinery and global partnerships over the next five years. If we want to stay in the global top ten, digital investment must become a national priority.
Skills, Talent and Opportunity
Of course, none of this is possible without people. The future of UK manufacturing depends on the skills of the next generation. That’s why apprenticeships remain central to our success. Since our founding in 1977, apprentices have shaped the DNA of Dyer with many of our senior team members starting their careers on our shop floor as apprentices.
Which is why we must send a clear message: manufacturing offers careers for everyone. Whether it’s engineering design or frontline production, the opportunities are vast and rewarding. Diversity, inclusivity and equal access to opportunity are essential if we want to widen the talent pool and ensure every young person sees a future in our sector.
That means collaboration is critical. Industry cannot do it alone. We need government policy that supports investment in skills and education, and we need schools, colleges and universities to connect more closely with employers. This will create clear pathways that inspire young people and equip them with the skills industry needs.
Looking Ahead
National Manufacturing Day is an opportunity to take stock and celebrate, but also to look forward. The future of our sector will be shaped by how well we adapt to change, how bravely we embrace digital transformation and how effectively we attract and develop the next generation of talent.
At Dyer, we are proud to play our part as a critical engineering partner to some of the world’s most demanding industries. Every day, our teams in the North East deliver engineering solutions that keep vital sectors moving, while our investment in apprenticeships and training ensures those opportunities are shared locally. This dual role of supporting global challenges while creating real local impact, is about building something bigger than ourselves.
And as an industry, we have every reason to be ambitious. With the right investment in technology, people, and stronger collaboration between government, education and business, the UK can not only protect its global standing but significantly improve it.
On this National Manufacturing Day, I’m proud of the contribution Dyer and our region has made over the past five decades. But I’m even more positive about what lies ahead as I strongly believe our best days are still in front of us.