Understanding your industry: Manufacturing

With over a decade of experience and knowledge, Blue Octopus continues to lead the way in talent acquisition within the Manufacturing sector.

In our series of industry blogs, we look at the global changes and trends affecting the manufacturing industry, as well as issues closer to home.

The General Election and Carbon Footprint messaging are major focuses in December. Below we explore some of the big stories so far this month…

• The Government must act to prevent ‘Greenwashing’ and misleading green credentials
  With only 12 years left to prevent a 2°C increase in global temperatures, which could have catastrophic consequences, companies are working hard to reduce their carbon footprint. However, reports are suggesting that as there is no single watchdog to monitor ‘green’ credentials, some companies are making false claims – often because green technologies are simply not fully understood. For example, last year, in a bid to reduce plastics used in their cups, Starbucks introduced new ‘strawless’ lids. It was found however, that these new alternatives actually contained more plastic than the original version.

• Automotive sector sees new jobs brought to Wales
  A huge boost of confidence to British automotive industry has come from Aston Martin Lagonda, as they officially open their second manufacturing plant here, in the UK. The plant, in St Athan, Wales will create 750 new highly-skilled roles when production reaches peak-capacity in 2020. First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford said: “Today is a proud moment for Aston Martin, the Welsh Government and for Wales. Locating this world class and globally recognised brand in St Athan is a huge vote of confidence in the Welsh workforce.”

• Economy stalled in run up to the General Election
  Falls in both the manufacturing and construction industries led to Britain’s economy stalling in the lead up to the General Election. Increases in the service sector were offset by falls in manufacturing in factories, as well as a decline in housebuilding. “A heavy sense of inevitability hung around the sector in November as it continued to suffer the effects of a cocktail of Brexit uncertainty, slowing global growth and an impending general election,” said Duncan Brock, group director at the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, on Monday.

• Is ‘Going Direct’ the key to manufacturing success?
  Currently more popular in the US, more and more British manufacturers are adopting the Direct To Consumer (DTC) business strategy as a means to increase revenue, increase the customer base, increase speed products go to market, and improve control over the supply. By bypassing retailers and wholesalers they are able to build stronger relationships with the end user, and as manufacturing experiences a challenging period, businesses must explore new sales and revenue channels. Research by Barclays Corporate Banking has shown that adopting the DTC could help create over 31,000 jobs over the next 5 years.