The UK manufacturing sector in 2025 has proved resilient but remains under pressure. The S&P Global Manufacturing PMI stayed well below 50, signalling contraction for much of the year. Additional headwinds of rising labour and energy costs and a persistent skilled-labour shortage didn’t make 2025 any easier for the nation’s manufacturers; to say nothing of tariff upheaval from the Trump administration, and a major cyber attack causing headaches across the automotive supply chain.
That said, the UK remains 11th globally in output ranking, and sectors such as aerospace, defence and advanced manufacturing keep showing pockets of strength following backing at government level. Here, we look back on the big stories – month-by-month – that impacted the manufacturing sector.
January: Guinness shortage – a wake-up call for supply chain transformation
A surge in demand for Guinness over the 2024 holiday season led to widespread shortages across UK pubs. Brewer Diageo rationed orders and even diverted Irish-reserved stock, while rival stouts like Murphy’s surged by over 600%. This ‘crisis’ served to further shine a spotlight on supply chain vulnerabilities across the manufacturing sector.
February: The future of UK shipbuilding hinges on plugging AI skills gaps
Addressing anticipated skills shortages in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and automation is essential to the future of the UK shipbuilding sector, according to a new report by the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), operated by the University of Strathclyde and based at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) in Renfrewshire.
March: 2025 UK Innovation Report unveiled at a pivotal moment for the Industrial Strategy
Published by Cambridge Industrial Innovation Policy at the Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, the UK Innovation Report 2025 offered a critical analysis of the nation’s innovation landscape, benchmarking the UK’s industrial sectors against global competitors.
April: Trump’s trade tariffs: what will it mean for UK manufacturers?
US President Donald Trump announced a swathe of sweeping trade tariffs on imported goods into the US. While the UK was only been hit by a ten per cent tariff (much lower than some other nations), the action still placed manufacturing supply chains in jeopardy.
May: 50% of UK adults recognise the official Made in Britain trademark
Following calls for a ‘Buy British’ campaign, YouGov polling reveals that 50% of UK adults now recognise the official Made in Britain trademark, and 44% would be encouraged to buy products with the label.
June: Government launches new Industrial Strategy
In what was perhaps the most anticipated news of the year, the government’s long-awaited Industrial Strategy was launched. Under the ten-year strategy the government plans to cut the bills of electricity-intensive manufacturers by up to 25% from 2027, a move it said could benefit more than 7,000 businesses.
Smart Manufacturing & Engineering Week: The Manufacturer Top 100 2025 announced
The Manufacturer Top 100 2025 was announced at an exclusive ceremony as part of Smart Manufacturing & Engineering Week at Birmingham’s NEC. The Manufacturer Top 100 scours the length and breadth of the nation to find the 100 most dynamic leaders and innovators in manufacturing, nominated by The Manufacturer’s audience, the industrial community and judged by a panel of industry leaders, academics and manufacturing associations.
July: 5 surprising manufacturing industries you didn’t know were thriving
Those outside of the manufacturing industry might be forgiven for thinking that the UK doesn’t “make stuff” anymore – but that couldn’t be further from the truth and there is a number of thriving manufacturers in the UK. Here, are five sectors that are proving that Britain can and is leading the way in manufacturing.
August: The Manufacturer MX Awards 2025 finalists announced
From iconic global brands to pioneering SMEs, the 2025 finalists for the manufacturing industry’s largest and most rigorous awards programme are revealed. Spanning the full spectrum of UK manufacturing from automotive, aerospace, and food & drink, to pharmaceuticals, engineering, and advanced materials, the breadth of sectors represented reflects the innovation, skill, and resilience that define modern British industry.
September: JLR production severely disrupted by cyber incident
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) was forced to shut down production and retail operations following a cyber incident that severely disrupted its IT systems. The disruption has affected JLR’s two main UK manufacturing sites – Halewood in Merseyside and Solihull in the West Midlands – where workers were told not to attend shifts after systems were taken offline.
October: Russia suspected in JLR cyber attack
Russia is being investigated as the possible culprit behind the cyber attack that crippled Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), according to reports first published by The Telegraph.
November: UK manufacturing’s finest recognised at The Manufacturer MX Awards 2025
The winners of The Manufacturer MX (TMMX) Awards 2025 have been announced at a black-tie ceremony and gala dinner at Titanic Hotel Liverpool, the culminating event of this year’s The Manufacturer Live.
November: The Chancellor delivers Autumn Budget: Industry reaction
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves laid out a plan in her Budget aimed at bolstering the UK’s manufacturing and industrial sectors. The strategy was focused on targeted investment, significant cost reduction for businesses and a drive on productivity and growth.
December: Industry edges back into growth as demand stabilises
UK manufacturing showed further signs of recovery in November as output rose for a second successive month and new business levels steadied after more than a year of decline, according to the latest S&P Global UK Manufacturing PMI.
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