Manufacturers open their doors for National Manufacturing Day 2024

Today is National Manufacturing Day 2024, an annual celebration of the sector and an opportunity for manufacturing organisations to open their doors to the public so people can see what goes on inside the country’s makers.

As well as seeing and learning more about the amazing equipment and technology most modern manufacturers rely on, visitors can also find out more about the highly-skilled career opportunities that are available in the UK’s wonderfully diverse manufacturing sector.

From current students and parents to school leavers, graduates and people looking to reskill, everyone is welcome to attend a National Manufacturing Day event near them for a behind-the-scenes look into what makes manufacturing tick. And let’s not forget how encompassing the manufacturing sector is, with all of its sub-sectors, including automotive, aerospace, defence, chemical, pharma, food and drink and more.

Speaking about National Manufacturing Day, Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK, the manufacturers organisation, said: “This is a really exciting day where the manufacturing sector came together to celebrate the amazing things that Britain designs and makes.

“Britain’s manufacturing companies are at the forefront of global renewable technology development and some of the most innovative engineering developments seen anywhere around the world. This is a sector with amazing opportunities and we hope this first National Manufacturing Day has given people who have never had the chance to see inside their local businesses just what is going on and the opportunities available to them.”

Industry Minister Sarah Jones added: “This new government will put manufacturing at the heart of its Industrial Strategy because good, well-paid jobs will drive the economic growth we all want to see.

“National Manufacturing Day is a chance for us to celebrate the vital contribution great British manufacturing makes to our economy, supporting thousands of skilled jobs across the country and keeping the UK at the cutting edge of innovation.”

Baroness Jacqui Smith, Minister for Skills, said: “The UK has a long, proud history of innovation in the manufacturing sector and we want to seize opportunities from the industries of the future, so it’s fantastic to see that spirit of enterprise being showcased as part of National Manufacturing Day.

“With the launch of Skills England, we will bring together businesses with trade unions, mayors and training providers to ensure we have the highly trained workforce needed to deliver our national, regional and local skills needs, giving young people the opportunity to get a foot in the door of these industries.”

We’ve compiled a list below of some of the National Manufacturing Day events that are taking place today, but you can also find an event near you using Make UK’s interactive map.

Here’s some of what’s on today:

• Hymid – Hymid in Torquay is hosting 60 GCSE students from the local area. They’ve concocted a series of manufacturing-based games and activities for the students, each activity awards points with the highest scoring team each recieving a prize. You can check out a video on Hymid’s involvement in last year’s National Manufacturing Day here.
• Martin’s Rubber Company Ltd – Martin’s Rubber Company in Southampton has set up an “Adventure Trail” through our offices and out onto the shop floor, to show the range of exciting careers in and around manufacturing, and we will finish next door in 1865 where one of our suppliers Clwyd Compounders Ltd. have kindly send in a display of what constituents make up rubber (yes, some come from trees) and customers Summit Oxygen Ltd, DASIS and Flowplant Group Limited have all provided show & tell examples of where some of Martin’s products go and why they are important… will be an interesting morning for us all, aiming to enthuse some young folk about the amazing world of making things.
• JLR – JLR is opening up two sites today: Halewood and Solihull – Range Rovers and Discovery production lines – where there will be tours, hands on activities, and early career advice.
• West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services – West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services in Brighouse has a very busy day ahead, with over 25 manufacturers, Calderdale College & The University of Huddersfield joining them, as well as more than 20 schools – all to celebrate National Manufacturing Day 2024!! They are also inviting the general public to join them between 3-5pm after the schools have left.
• G&B Electronics – G&B Electronics in Bordon, Hampshire is welcoming 50 young creative minds in the morning, with an opportunity for family and friends to join in the afternoon. You can check out what G&B got up to last year for National Manufacturing Day here.
• Focus SB Ltd – Focus SB Ltd in St Leonards-on-Sea will open its doors to the local community in East Sussex as part of Make UK’s National Manufacturing Day celebrations on 26th September 2024. Visitors will have the chance to explore potential careers and job opportunities through a ‘through the keyhole’ tour of the business. Staff will be available to share what inspired them to pursue careers in the manufacturing sector, and discuss the opportunities they’ve had for training and career progression. Find out more here.
• Swiftool Precision Engineering (SPE) Ltd – SPE in Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire is looking forward to welcoming Vision West Notts college and other students to their site today for National Manufacturing Day.
• Warren – Warren in Thetford, Norfolk has four fantastic factories that more than 300 Year 6 school students will be looking around.
• Peerless Plastics and Coatings – Peerless Plastics and Coatings also in Thetford will be hosting 288 Year 6 students along with 30 support staff! Peerless said: ‘Hopefully we can help to inspire future generations to think about the varied potential careers in industry, manufacturing, engineering, etc’.
• Timberwolf – Timberwolf in Stowmarket will be welcoming students from Stowmarket High School, and Thurston Community College & Thurston Sixth Beyton Campus, for a tour of their facilities and a Q&A session with their technical teams.
• AKP Ltd – AKP in Great Yarmouth will open its doors to the local community as part of Make UK’s National Manufacturing Day celebrations on 26 September 2024, from 10am until 3pm. During the day, attendees will be able to ask questions, be offered a 30-minute guided tour of the precision engineering CNC workshop and see samples of engineered parts and view the CNC machines in operation, along with inspection and metrology equipment. If time allows, there will be an opportunity to get ‘hands-on’ with the equipment, which includes CMMs, vision and laser measurement systems. Attendees can also find out more about AKP’s involvement with the subsea, aerospace, nuclear and defence sectors.
• A&M Pure Precision – A&M Pure Precision in Smethwick, West Midlands will be opening Doors for Future Makers. They are inviting school pupils to experience modern manufacturing – clean, IT led CAD & CNCmachining, and a range of apprenticeships.
• Pentangle Engineering – Pentangle Engineering in Grantham has been busy preparing their annual keyring design for visiting students. All that’s left is to decide on the colour for powder coating. Pentangle is looking forward to showing all of the different facets of engineering that takes place behind their doors.
• Pennine Healthcare UK – Pennine Healthcare UK in Derby will be welcoming 26 students to give them an insight as to what their industry has to offer, the roles people play and an introduction to LEAN. Pennine will also welcome Dr Chamkaur Singh Kang from Qinesis – The Business Growth Company & East Midlands Manufacturing Network who will be diving into STEM skills and the future development opportunities for students.
• Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority – Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority said in a LinkedIn post that they are ‘delighted to be supporting National Manufacturing Day 2024’ and that the sector is ‘exciting, innovative… and packed with opportunities to learn, earn, and grow’. Check out the video in their LinkedIn post filmed at MetalCraft in Chatteris, featuring advice from the North Cambs Training Centre.