The Hazard Warning Report by insurance company Zurich says that more than three quarters of Britain’s manufacturers (78%) are more optimistic about their industry than 12-months ago. The study, published June 20, underlines the importance of the state of the UK economy, emerging markets for new business and supply chain risk as being the most important factors companies face. The companies surveyed also say that a lack of credit is not holding growth back, contrary to some popular views.
The report is a study of 100 owner-managers of mid-market companies – those with £5m-£300m turnover – with qualitative analysis of the top concerns for UK business, including the Regulatory and legal environment, Access to emerging markets, Supply chain risk and Sustainability.
The study reveals that:
- 78% of manufacturing businesses in the UK feel more optimistic about the future than at the same time last year.
- 47% of manufacturers cite emerging markets as their biggest opportunity
- 60% feel exposed to risks associated with emerging markets
- The UK economy poses the greatest challenge (34%) to manufacturers, followed by the need to break into emerging markets and supply chain issues.