UK manufacturers launch re-shoring campaign
8 June 2020
UK Manufacturing Unite, a new initiative run ‘by manufacturers for manufacturers’, hopes to encourage collaboration in industry and the re-shoring of supply chains in the wake of COVID-19.
UK Manufacturing Unite, a new initiative run ‘by manufacturers for manufacturers’, hopes to encourage collaboration in industry and the re-shoring of supply chains in the wake of COVID-19.
#UKMfgUnite was launched by a group of UK companies with the aim of bringing manufacturers together to build domestic networks and supply chains.
The initiative has established a free online platform that it hopes will act as a directory for sourcing local supply solutions and problem solving between manufacturers.
Garry Myatt, Collaboration Director for the campaign, said:
“COVID-19 has underlined the need for engineers to pull together to innovate as allies and build our networks closer to home so we can mitigate supply chain risk.
“‘Collaborationeers’, if you like, are a new breed of manufacturer evolving day by day to tackle the critical challenge of helping to care for a nation, to build economic stability, to increase UK productivity, encourage re-shoring and ultimately lay down a foundation for future generations to come.”
According to the initiative, its platform has already led to orders worth £625,000.
Tony Hague, Chief Executive at PP Control & Automation in the West Midlands and one of the founding members, said:
“In the UK, we know how to build highly automated factories and there is little doubt this approach would create lots of higher paying jobs, raising UK productivity to the levels we crave. Re-shoring activities could create huge and sustainable wealth for the UK economy. It won’t be easy, but now is the perfect time.”