SEPTEMBER 2019 COMMENT
Alarm bells
are ringing
CHRIS BECK, EDITOR chris.beck@markallengroup.com
There was a collective sharp intake of breath at MM Towers when
this month’s PMI fi gures landed in our inboxes. A reading of just
47.4 (anything above 50 shows a growing sector) meant the UK’s
manufacturing sector is offi cially in its worst state for over seven years.
Understandably, fi ngers have immediately pointed towards
Westminster, and the chaos that’s currently surrounding Brexit
negotiations. As I write, the country is edging closer to a No Deal Brexit,
which will bring with it a untold amount of disruption and confusion.
Already, we’re seeing the warning signs that everything isn’t as rosy
as it was a few months ago: respondents to the PMI survey said that EUbased
clients were beginning to route supply chains away from the UK.
Even more worryingly, new work from further afi eld, such as the USA
and Asia, upon which so much will rest post-Brexit, is starting to dry up.
There are, of course, companies bucking the trend. All throughout
these pages you’ll read of manufacturers, great and small, who are
gritting their teeth and just getting on with things.
It’s an admirable route to take – Keep Calm and Carry On, and all
that. However, when push comes to shove, something will have to give.
Manufacturing Management will continue to support the hard work and
dedication shown by the industry through thick and thin. You are the
lifeblood of the UK economy, and it’s about time government realised
that. The GMB union recently demanded an urgent meeting with the
Prime Minister to discuss the long-term future of the sector (https://bit.
ly/2lW0DiS) – maybe it’s about time we all asked for the same. C.Beck
Editor Chris Beck
chris.beck@markallengroup.com
Assistant Editor Amy Best
amy.best@markallengroup.com
Art Editor Neil Young
Production Manager Chloe Jeakins
chloe.jeakins@markallengroup.com
Circulation Manager Chris Jones
circulation@markallengroup.com
Sales Director James Slade
07860 715084
james.slade@markallengroup.com
Publisher Luke Webster
luke.webster@markallengroup.com
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Mission statement
Manufacturing Management (MM) celebrates the best of UK manufacturing
and the management teams who make our factories world-class.
With over 70 years of heritage as Works Management magazine, we aspire
to help our readers realise growth in their sites’ productivity and profi t through
the content we provide in every issue.
From lean management techniques to maintenance via the Fourth Industrial
Revolution, MM champions the cause of directors and managers in charge of
the UK’s world-leading sites, o ering them a wealth of best practice ideas.
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