Manufacturing News – Late September 2025
Estimated reading time 3 minutes
Manufacturers in the West Midlands saw a strong recovery in activity during the third quarter of the year, with signs that delayed investment is now being unlocked and hiring plans are picking up.
According to the Make UK/BDO Q3 Manufacturing Outlook survey, output and orders showed solid growth, at +42% and +13% respectively. Investment intentions also jumped to +14%, while recruitment plans rose to +33%, underlining a more positive outlook.
NW manufacturers enjoy sharp rise in activity – but fear Budget business tax rises.
A sharp rebound of activity was reported by North West manufacturers during the third quarter of the year. There are signs that pent-up investment demand has been turned on, while recruitment intentions have also risen sharply
Rotork, the Bath-headquartered specialist valve manufacturer, today launched the latest tranche of its share buyback, promising to return another £10m to shareholders.
So far this year the group, which designs and makes high-quality flow control equipment for the global oil, gas, water and power industries, has returned around £40m to shareholders across four tranches of its buyback programme.
Today it launched a fifth tranche worth £10m, which will end no later than 31 October.
Manufacturers in the East Midlands have had a weak start to the second half of the year, with output and orders turning negative and recruitment intentions hit by higher National Insurance Contributions.
The Make UK/BDO Q3 Manufacturing Outlook survey reported output and orders at balances of -6% and -17%, while recruitment intentions remained at -6%. Investment intentions were the only positive note, rising modestly to +6%.
Gripple, a Sheffield-based manufacturer of wire joining and tensioning devices, is set for international growth with the support of an eight-figure funding package from HSBC UK.
With established operations across America, Canada, Europe and India, the business expanded its growth strategy with the launch of operations in Japan.
It expects to see an increase of 20 per cent in sales over the course of the year from this international expansion.
