You can read this article and more in Mediaplanet’s Future of Manufacturing: Building beyond the industrial strategy report: Future of Manufacturing

Often regarded as the backbone of Britain’s economy, manufacturing not only contributes over £200 billion annually to the UK’s GDP (according to manufacturing body, Make UK), the sector also provides critical supply-chain capabilities, job creation and training.

Amid global uncertainty, the sector faces unprecedented challenges. Bold investments in new technology, sustainable practices, innovation and human capital could be the key to thriving in a world of rapid change.

We’re committed to pushing Britain’s manufacturing sector forward into a new era of opportunity. We are ready to connect manufacturing businesses with the funding and support they need to capitalise on the government’s industrial strategy — and position themselves for enduring success.

The Government’s industrial plan outlines a clear, decade-long vision to future-proof UK industry by encouraging investment in advanced manufacturing processes, clean energy, digital infrastructure and strong supply chains.

The strategies it identifies for future success are:

• Automating processes to boost productivity
• Digital transformation to drive competitiveness
• Sustainable growth to accelerate the transition to net zero
• Workforce agility to adapt to future skills needs
• Supply chain resilience to reduce vulnerability and improve strategic capability

Finance is often crucial for manufacturers looking to invest in new machinery, adopt cleaner tech, expand capacity or improve energy efficiency. However, businesses have cited complexity or lack of awareness as barriers to securing the right financial support.

We want to bridge this gap by providing solutions and flexible expertise to help manufacturers scale and grow. We’re committed to pushing Britain’s manufacturing sector forward into a new era of opportunity.

We work closely with over 50,000 businesses and customers in UK manufacturing, from corporates and PLCs to sole traders and the SMEs, which are the engine of the UK’s manufacturing base.

Our regional relationship managers, sector specialists and enterprise teams are embedded in local economies across the country. This localised approach ensures they understand the specific challenges and opportunities facing manufacturing businesses, from engineering hubs in the Midlands to advanced materials innovators in the Northeast.

“British manufacturers are the lifeblood of our economy, and we’re committed to helping our manufacturing customers navigate the challenges and embrace the opportunities presented by an evolving and changing sector,” Laura says.

“We know manufacturing businesses require a bank that understands industry dynamics, and through our sector insight, specialist trained staff and vast network of strategic partners, we support manufacturing businesses with tailored solutions.”

A recent report, published by NatWest and Make UK, found that almost three-quarters of companies said that without access to finance, investments would not take place. This clearly demonstrates the pivotal role finance plays in activating the government’s industrial strategy – and the importance of strong, lasting partnerships between finance providers and businesses.

We are part of a diverse ecosystem of products, services and information sources empowering manufacturers to become Future Fit, offering support across five key growth pillars:

1. Leveraging automation and asset finance

Rising costs and competition make automation essential for many businesses. However, manufacturers investing in robotics, AI-driven machinery, or advanced data systems often face capital limitations, which can slow progress.

We enable businesses to acquire cutting-edge equipment without large upfront costs. Through hire purchase, leasing or other flexible funding options, we help manufacturers to increase production and reduce downtime.

2. Driving digital transformation

Digitisation is redefining how manufacturers operate, from predictive maintenance to cloud-based supply chain management. However, integrating these technologies requires investment in infrastructure and training.

We help support this digital transition through finance as well as strategic partnerships with tech providers and innovation centres. Businesses can also access our Accelerator Programme , which offers mentoring and development support for scale-ups, driving digital innovation in manufacturing.

Through relationships with industry bodies like Make UK and the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, we integrate manufacturers into networks where they can share best practices, access tech pilot schemes and connect with sector specialists.

3. Advancing sustainability for clean growth

As the UK moves towards the government’s goal of net zero by 2050, sustainable manufacturing needs to be good for business — and good for the planet.

We’re committed to helping businesses in the manufacturing sector transition to net zero through sustainability solutions, ESG advisory services and practical support. In 2023, we pledged £1 billion in additional lending to UK manufacturing to support this transition.

With our Carbon Planner tool, businesses can assess their environmental impact and identify cost-saving opportunities through energy efficiency, circular economy models and investments in clean technology.

We complement this with asset finance, helping businesses acquire everything from electric fleet vehicles (EVs) to solar panels and energy-efficient manufacturing equipment.

Security may be required. Products fees may apply. Finance is subject to status and for business purposes only.

4. Building a talent pipeline

Technological adoption is only as effective as the workforce behind it. As skills gaps widen in areas like data science, robotics and cyber security, manufacturers need agile, future-ready talent.

We help manufacturing businesses build a value proposition with broad appeal, offering benefits like workplace pensions, salary sacrifice EV schemes and wellbeing programmes.

We also partner with local educators, local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) and innovation hubs to connect businesses with the training, apprenticeships and reskilling programmes needed to attract next-gen talent.

5. Improving supply chain resilience

Supply chain management has been challenging for manufacturers, amplified by the global pandemic and geopolitical events. Manufacturers are simplifying supply chains and reducing dependency on specific countries through strategies such as nearshoring, friendshoring and onshoring.

Our trade specialists support manufacturers in optimising their supply chain relationships, mitigating risks associated with new suppliers, and identifying new markets for export. 

Our recent report with Make UK found that 87% of businesses say they will require access to finance to meet their investment plans in the next two years. The research also suggests that 39% of manufacturers could use external finance instead of their own funding to invest and keep their working capital for day-to-day operations.

We are committed to removing barriers to external funding, enabling businesses to grow while maintaining healthy working capital reserves and cash flow.

Manufacturing is a vital and high-value sector of the UK economy and one of the most rapidly changing. Businesses need financial partners with sector expertise and innovative solutions to gain a competitive edge in the sector.

The industrial strategy ushers in a new era of opportunity for manufacturing businesses and we’re committed to helping them fully benefit from it. “We continue to evolve our support to UK manufacturers and have many solutions to enable businesses to grow, innovate, improve productivity and become more sustainable,” Laura says. “Our ambition is not just to finance the future of UK manufacturing — but to help shape it.”

Security may be required. Products fees may apply. Finance is subject to status and for business purposes only