Advanced Engineering 2017 today (Tuesday 13 June) published its ranking of the UK’s high value manufacturing hotspots and at the same time opened registrations for this year’s show. At the top of the league table came Bristol with an “advanced engineering impact” score of 5179, pipping Birmingham to the post.

The full table is shown below.

Position Area Advanced Engineering Impact score
1 Bristol 5179
2 Birmingham 4871
3 Liverpool 4831
4 Derby 4828
5 Sheffield 4820
6 Coventry 4795
7 London 4791
8 Notts 4788
9 Leeds/Yorkshire 4747
10 Milton Keynes 4727
11 Belfast/N Ireland 4720
12 Southampton 4602
13 Manchester 4539
14 Gloucester 4261
15 Plymouth 4197
16 Leicester 4080
17 Newcastle 3951
18 Glasgow 3680
19 Cardiff 3504
20 Swindon 3417

 

These figures, which are based on the number of visitors from the area at last year’s show and number of exhibitors registered to date, taking into account travel factors, mirror ONS data which shows that the three strongest regions for engineering employment are the South East and West Midlands. The West Midlands has over half a million people employed in the sector. The strongest sector for engineering in the UK is the South East of England, with 23% of the workforce working in engineering compared to the UK average of 18%. However, parts of the UK with a lower reliance on engineering are still forecast to grow strongly in creating jobs. For example Scotland is expected to add 14,000 jobs by 2022 when compared with 2014.

Alison Willis, industrial divisional director at Easyfairs, said: “High value manufacturing provides over 5½ million engineering jobs to the UK economy, with a total turnover of £1.24 billion. This isn’t bad when many people think we no longer make things! Many of these jobs are highly skilled and highly paid, and are driving innovation in the country’s manufacturing base.

“This year, as in previous years, we will welcome thousands of visitors and exhibitors to Advanced Engineering 2017 to mix with the cream of engineering talent from this country and around the world. We should celebrate these unique capabilities, and build on the strong foundations which have been laid by the giants of the engineering world, from Brunel through to Whittle. British engineering has a very healthy future, and we’re helping to ensure it stays that way.”

Organised by Easyfairs, Advanced Engineering 2017, which takes place on the 1-2 November at the NEC Birmingham, is the UK’s largest annual gathering of advanced engineering professionals. It connects the entire supply chain of the UK’s advanced engineering industry with R&D, design, test, production and procurement from large and small companies, through to top tier industry players in a two-day free to attend exhibition and high level conference.

 

For more information on the Advanced Engineering 2017, or to register to secure your free ticket for the show, visit: www.advancedengineeringuk.com