Following the release of the latest UK manufacturing PMI today (1 August), Andrew Matthews, partner at MHA, believes that as the era of pandemic support fades away we need a proper industrial strategy:

A 3.6% rise for the industry on 2021, which was also a record-breaking year.

Ucima chair Riccardo Cavanna stated: "The achievement is extraordinary, but investments are facing various obstacles"
The automatic packing and packaging machines industry marks a historic milestone: in 2022, the industry recorded a total turnover of 8.537 billion euros, improving the previous record set in 2021 by 3.6%.

Following the release of the latest UK manufacturing PMI today (3 July), Chris Barlow, partner at MHA, believes that the Bank of England’s (BofE) decision to raise interest rates and a lack of industrial strategy is stifling a sector in desperate need of a confidence boost:

Following the release of the latest UK Manufacturing PMI today (1 June), Guy Hodgkinson, partner at MHA, believes that despite manufacturing output falling for a 4th consecutive month, sector is beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel as government-backed battery factory injects vital confidence back into industry:

Following the release of the latest UK Manufacturing PMI today (2 May), Chris Barlow, partner at MHA, says UK manufacturing is languishing in an era of stagnation as international competitors pull ahead:

Following the release of the latest UK Manufacturing PMI today (1 March), Guy Hodgkinson, partner at MHA, calls for the government to increase R&D investment and create a clear strategy for manufacturing to flourish as we move into 2023:

Ahead of the Spring Budget (Wednesday 15 March 2023), Chris Barlow, Partner at MHA, says that while the Government’s intention to introduce a new capital allowance regime is encouraging, it isn’t enough to offset current economic headwinds and the tax changes coming into force in April:

According to preliminary figures compiled by the MECS - Ucima Research Centre, the sector will report year-end revenues of €8 billion, 3% down on the all-time record of 2021. Orders are increasing, with 7 and a half months of guaranteed production in 2023

Following the sacking of Kwasi Kwarteng and with pressure mounting on the government to execute more U-turns on tax policy to calm the markets, Chris Denning, corporate and international tax partner at MHA, says it is a big blow for UK business that a pro-growth tax policy is set to be blown off course:

The graphical sector is part of Europe’s critical infrastructure, with printers producing essential products that are required across the European economy. The energy crisis – on top of the effects of the pandemic and dramatically increasing paper prices – has left many printing companies in a critical situation. This will have severe repercussions on the supply of printed products for all markets. Legislators at national and EU level must provide our industry with more support. The continuous supply of essential products is at stake.

Following the release of the latest UK Manufacturing PMI (3 October), Richard Powell, partner at MHA, see’s little reason for sector optimism as rising inflation and a dramatic downturn of the pound pile further pressure on manufacturer’s margins and their ability to come through economic turbulence unscathed:

However, the industry expects long-lasting effects of the Corona pandemic
Press manufacturer Roland DG EMEA today released its annual State of Digital Printing in Europe report. The research, which measures the business performance and business expectations of more than 1,300 printers in the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, has revealed that the sector is returning to growing sales in 2021 after a difficult year.