Food and Drink: “Among the most brutal conditions food & beverage sector has ever seen”
The food and drink industry is fighting on many fronts, yet innovation, start-ups and continued investment are demonstrating robust resilience.
Amidst the Gloom, Electric Switch-Over Offers Hope
The automotive sector is in a race to switch manufacture, supply chains and logistics for new low carbon platforms, like electric propulsion.
Making the Jump from Start-Up to Manufacturer
Stephen Kyle-Henney, founder and managing director of TISICS Titanium Composites, faces not one but two challenges as the commercial aerospace sector flies back to pre-pandemic levels of activity.
Gearing up to Fulfill More Regular Demand
Investments in modernisation, an improved build process, and a new national strategy are helping move the UK’s marine industry out of choppy waters and into calmer seas. But there is still much work to be done if businesses wish to take full advantage of future opportunities.
Insatiable Demand for Data Pushes Electronics Forward
Andy Pye explores the driving forces behind the continuing growth of electronics and argues that the main driver is digitalisation, supported by data management, communications and smart technologies.
A Golden Age for Healthcare Innovation
From artificial intelligence and machine learning to genetics and new materials, the investments made during the past two years are paying bumper dividends for the British medical devices sector.
UK Space Sector Prepares for Launch
New spaceports and launch technologies are coming online to take the UK’s thriving space sector stratospheric.
Alternative Food & Drink – Alternative dining goes mainstream
The alternative food and beverage sector is booming across the UK, pulled by technological development and pushed by widespread environmental concern.
Level playing field can lead to profitable, green steel
The UK Energy Security Strategy in April granted the long-suffering steel industry a huge fillip – 100% state compensation for onerous indirect carbon costs, – enabling steelmaking from Hartlepool to Llanelli to become more competitive. Now the industry needs to create a market for ‘green steel’ and it could be a standard bearer for levelling up.
A Sector Ready for Take-Off
Post-Covid recovery hopes and government efforts to be a zero carbon aviation pioneer are giving a boost to UK commercial aerospace, with the war in Ukraine certain to increase defence spending.
Renew, recycle, reform
The packaging industry across the world saw a surge in demand during the Covid pandemic. As that abates, the focus returns to environmental concerns. The UK leads in some areas but lags in others.
Subbies must find a cutting edge
Subcontract precision engineering businesses, the backbone of almost every industrial sector, face challenging times. Energy prices, labour shortages and materials costs are all escalating, while demand climbs steadily back to pre-pandemic levels and above. As a result, subcontract manufacturers and their shop floors are having to become more productive, flexible and cost-efficient.
Rail Industry Needs Stability to Stay on Track
Despite signs that the government supports an expansion of the rail network, there is still concern within the industry that a policy of boom and bust will cause supply chain difficulties.
Preparing for future pandemics
Investments from both companies and the UK government aim to accelerate new drug discovery and speed of manufacture as the industry increasingly prioritises agility and personalised medicines.