The Great South West Partnership has launched a major new Manufacturing Investment Plan, backed by Make UK, a renewed South West Manufacturers’ Network and the rollout of the Made Smarter programme across the region.
These three landmark developments represent a coordinated effort to position the Great South West as a powerhouse for UK manufacturing, and a magnet for global trade, investment, innovation, and industrial talent. The region already has the second largest advanced manufacturing capability in the UK and is critical to the delivery of the Government’s industrial strategy, launched this week.
The Government’s new Industrial Strategy identifies the South West as one of the UK’s leading areas for advanced manufacturing, with specific strengths in clean energy, defence, agri-tech, batteries, and maritime autonomy.
Karl Tucker, Chair of the Great South West Partnership and Yeo Valley, said: “Manufacturing in the Great South West is a national asset. Our world-class capabilities in aerospace, marine, defence, clean energy, agritech and advanced engineering are already helping to secure the UK’s economic resilience and national security. As global supply chains shift and investment in sovereign capabilities grows, the South West is uniquely positioned to lead. If you want to be part of the UK’s manufacturing future, this is where it starts.”
The region already employs over 120,000 people in manufacturing, contributes £7.4 billion in GVA, and invests £780 million annually in research and development in this area. Home to sector-leading primes such as Leonardo, Babcock, and Sunseeker, the region also boasts innovation assets in aerospace, marine, defence, photonics, clean energy, and agritech.
The new Manufacturing Investment Plan focuses on high-impact areas:
- Promoting the region in national and global markets
- Strengthening innovation networks
- Addressing skills and workforce challenges
- Supporting business growth and investment
It builds on evidence from the 2024 High Value Manufacturing Report and the ground-breaking Great South West Independent Economic Review, which identifies clear economic potential and opportunities for the region to drive clean growth, net zero transition, and secure the UK’s food, energy, and defence future.
Kerri-Anne Mruk, South Regional Director of Make UK, said: “The South West makes a major contribution to the success of manufacturing in the UK, with a breadth of industrial sectors ranging from marine, through renewables to aerospace. The collaboration that has taken place across the region through the network over the last decade has made a difference to the economy and helped create many high-skill, high-value jobs.
“As the government publishes its Industrial Strategy with a long-term vision for modern, advanced manufacturing, the importance of the sector to the South West economy is only going to grow. In this context, Make UK, as a national voice for manufacturers, reaffirms its continued commitment to strengthen collaboration and support the South West Manufacturers’ Network, working together on shared priorities vital to the region’s continued success.”
South West Manufacturers’ Network reaffirms regional commitment
Coinciding with the Plan’s launch, the South West Manufacturers’ Network (SWMN) has refreshed its 10-year-old Memorandum of Understanding. This move reaffirms the region’s commitment to work collaboratively on shared priorities.
Founded in 2014, SWMN brings together key non-profit manufacturing groups from across the region, including Cornwall Manufacturers’ Group, Dorset Engineering & Manufacturing Cluster, North Devon Manufacturers Association, Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group (PMG) and Torbay Hi-Tech Cluster, with Somerset Council acting as a channel to Somerset manufacturers and their Innovation Centre Network. Make UK provides further regional and national representation.
Eric Nicholls, CEO of Cornwall Manufacturers Group, said: “Cornwall Manufacturers Group are delighted to reaffirm our commitment to SWMN. It is vital that all manufacturing sector groups speak together, and SWMN gives us that strong and unified voice. We look forward to working with GSW to spread the message that the South West is a fantastic base for manufacturing and to grow it for the benefit of the wider economy.”
Chris Wardle, Chair of Torbay Hi-Tech Cluster, said: “The Torbay Hi Tech Cluster is delighted to once again support and commit to the SWMN, and represent manufacturing and technology companies in Torbay and across the wider South West. It is imperative that the wider region is strongly represented, has a unified voice and will deliver on the government’s science, innovation, technology and industrial strategies. We very much look forward to working with GSW on growing the South West economies.”
Lee Crocker, Chair of PMG, said: “Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group is proud to confirm our continued commitment to the SWMN. A strong, unified voice across the region’s manufacturing sector is essential, and SWMN provides the ideal platform to achieve this as together we represent such a high number of manufacturing employers. By working closely with the Great South West, we can ensure that our region takes a leading role in advancing growth-focused, sustainable strategies and promoting the South West as a world-class hub for manufacturing for investment and incredible career opportunities.”
Made Smarter rolls out across the South West
Also launching today across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, and Dorset (including Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) is the Made Smarter Great South West programme, a government-backed initiative to help SME manufacturers embrace digital technologies and boost productivity.
Delivered by NCC (National Composites Centre), South West Manufacturing Advisory Service (SWMAS), and the University of the West of England (UWE), the programme offers:
- Up to 50% match funding for digital tech adoption
- Fully funded digital leadership and champion training
- Paid digital internships
- Personalised 1:1 digital roadmaps
Katy Riddington, Chief Portfolio Officer at NCC, said: “We’re delighted that SMEs across the Great South West region can now take advantage of the Made Smarter programme to accelerate their digital transformation journeys. NCC has helped hundreds of SMEs de-risk and scale new technologies for faster market adoption, greater efficiency, and competitive advantage. As a lead delivery partner for Made Smarter, we look forward to working with our partners SWMAS and UWE to demonstrate how digital technologies can help businesses stay competitive, sustainable, and future-ready.”
Nick Golding, Managing Director at SWMAS, said: “SWMAS is delighted to be working with NCC to deliver Made Smarter across the Great South West. The programme offers a fantastic opportunity for SME manufacturers to understand and progress their digital journey, adopt new technologies and develop the leadership and skills needed to embrace change – vital to help boost productivity, drive innovation and build a more sustainable and competitive future.”
This coordinated campaign underscores the Great South West’s ambition to lead the UK’s next manufacturing chapter, and its pivotal role in the successful delivery of the Industrial Strategy .