Manufacturers in the East Midlands have seen output recover to almost a tenth higher (8%) than that recorded in 2019 according to the latest snapshot of the sectors’ contribution to the region’s economy.

The Make UK/BDO Annual Regional Manufacturing Outlook report shows the importance of the manufacturing sector to the East Midlands’s economy, accounting for almost a sixth (15%) of the region’s total output, well above the national average. It also contributes 261,000 highly skilled jobs, 10% of the region’s employment overall.

Three major sectors make up almost half of manufacturing production in the region with the largest being the food and drink sector worth almost a fifth (19.9%) of industrial output. This is followed by the transport sector worth 13.7% and rubber and plastics at 12.8%.

In 2024 the East Midlands made up almost a tenth (7%) of the UK’s total goods exports. Whilst the EU was the dominant destination at 43%, the region is the least dependent of any English region or devolved nation on the EU. This is followed by Asia & Oceania (30%) and North America (15%).

Chris Corkan, region director for Make UK in the Midlands said: “Industry remains critical to the growth of the East Midlands economy, providing high value, high skill jobs and aiding the process of creating wealth across the UK. The Government has made a welcome bold statement of its intent to tackle the UK’s anaemic growth at national and regional level with its industrial and trade strategies. This should now be allied with the local growth strategies and priorities of each region, including infrastructure and innovation, together with other measures to ensure the UK is an attractive place to do business.”

Chris Cole, head of manufacturing in the Midlands at BDO, added: “The government has made clear that their industrial strategy is proudly place based and these results remind us that manufacturing in the East Midlands is a great place to start.

“With more than a quarter of a million manufacturing jobs and accounting for ten per cent of the region’s employment, in the midst of an employment crisis these stats show the importance of manufacturing to the economic health of the region.

“What these businesses need is targeted investment and support to locate new trading partners, boost export levels and bridge the skills gap.”