As the UK sets its sights on reindustrialisation and global competitiveness, the Great South West is stepping forward as a region ready to deliver. Our newly launched Manufacturing Investment Plan sets out a blueprint for how we can deliver national resilience, innovation, and prosperity, aligned with the Government’s 2025 Industrial Strategy and its Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan.
The Industrial Strategy identifies the Great South West as one of the country’s advanced manufacturing clusters. It highlights our strengths in advanced materials, aerospace, batteries, agri-tech and defence. It points to key assets like Plymouth’s maritime autonomy and defence cluster, including the University of Plymouth’s Cyber-SHIP lab, Smart Sound and Devonport Dockyard, and the critical minerals clusters in Cornwall and Devon. It also recognises our role in the clean energy transition, referencing Somerset’s nuclear innovation and the floating offshore wind supply chain emerging in the Celtic Sea.
This national recognition reinforces what we already know: the Great South West is not just a contributor to the UK’s industrial future. We are central to its success. With the launch of our Manufacturing Investment Plan, we have a coordinated, evidence-based approach to maximise this potential. The Plan directly supports Industrial Strategy aims by accelerating innovation, boosting exports, expanding the skilled workforce, and ensuring the right infrastructure is in place to unlock growth.
With over 120,000 people employed in manufacturing, contributing £7.4 billion to the regional economy, and investing £780 million annually in R&D, our region is home to some of the country’s most forward-looking firms. Major primes like Babcock, Leonardo, BAE Systems and Sunseeker work alongside thousands of SMEs in areas ranging from photonics to composites to agri-tech. We export more than £23 billion in goods annually, 60% of which is machinery and transport equipment, a figure far above the UK average.
The Manufacturing Investment Plan sets out a clear course. To attract international investment, grow and connect innovation clusters, develop a skilled, future-ready workforce, and make it easier for manufacturers to invest, scale, and thrive in the Great South West. It is backed by our region’s business networks, local authorities, universities, FE colleges, and partners like Make UK and the South West Manufacturers’ Network.
Already, initiatives like the Made Smarter South West programme are providing SMEs with funding and support to adopt digital technologies. Across the region, local colleges and universities are aligning courses and training to the needs of advanced industry. And through clusters like Maritime UK South West, the Cornwall Space Cluster, and the South West Regional Defence & Security Cluster, we are creating joined-up supply chains that can respond to national and global demand.
But there is more to do. If we are serious about clean energy, sovereign capability, and competitive exports, we must invest where the conditions already exist for success. That’s here. With shovel-ready sites, fast-track planning, freeports, clean energy infrastructure and a unified regional voice, the Great South West is uniquely positioned to deliver.
The UK has the ambition. We have the assets. Let’s build it here in the Great South West.
By Karl Tucker, Chair, Great South West Partnership
Find out about the region’s manufacturing opportunity.
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