Brigham Pressings CEO Doug Allen has called for renewed confidence in Britain’s metalworking industry following new economic figures showing that manufacturing played a leading role in the UK’s return to growth in August. The Birmingham-based precision pressings specialist believes the country’s established capabilities in metal presswork, tooling and fabrication could play an increasingly important role in supporting international supply chains, particularly across aerospace, defence and advanced engineering.
Figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on 15 October revealed that UK manufacturing output increased by 1.2% in August, helping the wider economy achieve growth of 0.1% against economists’ expectations of a modest contraction. Total production output rose by 0.8%, with nine of the country’s 13 manufacturing subsectors recording growth. Transport equipment, which includes automotive and aerospace manufacturing, increased by 1.8%, providing further encouragement for British engineering businesses seeking opportunities in international markets.
For Brigham Pressings, which has continued to invest in manufacturing capability while pursuing diversification into more demanding industrial sectors, the figures reinforce the economic importance of retaining a competitive domestic manufacturing base.
“Manufacturing remains one of the most important contributors to the UK’s economic prosperity, and these latest figures are a welcome reminder of the value created by businesses making things here in Britain,” said Doug Allen, CEO of Brigham Pressings. “Within that, our pressed metal and fabrication industries deserve particular attention. They provide the components, assemblies and manufacturing expertise that support everything from automotive production and electrical infrastructure to aerospace, defence and industrial equipment.”
“We have generations of knowledge invested in British metalworking. The opportunity now is to build on that expertise, strengthen our capabilities and ensure that UK manufacturers are positioned to compete for the next generation of international programmes.”
The latest economic data arrives as manufacturers assess the opportunities emerging from increased defence expenditure, aerospace production requirements, electrification and investment in critical infrastructure. Each of these markets depends on an extensive network of specialist suppliers capable of producing engineered metal components to demanding specifications, often at considerable volume.
Precision metal pressings, sheet metal fabrication, press tooling and sub-assemblies form an important part of this industrial ecosystem. For established manufacturers such as Brigham Pressings, the ability to combine product development expertise with in-house toolmaking and repeatable production processes offers customers a valuable resource when bringing new products to market.
Allen believes the UK’s manufacturing ambitions should recognise the strategic importance of these capabilities, particularly as international customers consider supply chain resilience, production capacity and the availability of technically qualified suppliers.
“There is a great deal of discussion around the major investments being made in aerospace, defence and advanced technologies, and rightly so,” he explained. “Every major programme creates demand throughout the manufacturing supply chain. Behind a finished aircraft, vehicle or piece of industrial equipment are thousands of individual components, many of which depend on specialist presswork, tooling and fabrication expertise.
“That is where British manufacturers have a tremendous opportunity. We have the engineering experience, established industrial infrastructure and technical knowledge to secure a greater share of this work. Continued investment in our domestic supply chains will help translate that opportunity into skilled employment, exports and long-term economic value.”
Brigham Pressings has already outlined its ambitions to broaden its customer base and increase its involvement in higher-value manufacturing markets. A central element of that strategy has been the company’s achievement of AS9100 aerospace quality management accreditation, strengthening its credentials as a supplier to aerospace, defence and other safety-critical industries.
The internationally recognised standard builds upon ISO 9001 quality management principles, incorporating additional requirements relating to risk management, product safety, traceability and operational control. For Brigham Pressings, AS9100 provides an important foundation for developing relationships with customers operating within some of the world’s most demanding manufacturing supply chains.
The company’s established capabilities in precision metal pressings, metal stampings, press tooling, tool design and manufacture, fabrication and component assemblies provide a platform for supporting customers from initial product development through to repeat production.
Its engineering teams also work with customers on design for manufacture, helping to optimise component geometry, material utilisation, tooling performance and production efficiency.
“Achieving AS9100 was an important step in our diversification strategy because it demonstrates the level of manufacturing discipline and quality assurance that customers can expect from Brigham Pressings,” Allen continued. “We see considerable potential in aerospace and defence, particularly where customers require precision-engineered metal components supported by robust quality systems and reliable production capability.
“Our investment in accreditation, manufacturing technology and people is about positioning the business for those opportunities. We want Brigham Pressings to be recognised as a capable British manufacturing partner for companies developing the products and platforms of the future.”
Although the August figures provide encouragement, the ONS data also highlights the importance of sustained investment across Britain’s industrial supply chain Manufacturing output increased by just 0.1% over the three months to August, while basic metals and metal products recorded a 2.7% contraction over the same period.
The contrast illustrates the differing conditions experienced across manufacturing and the importance of improving competitiveness in established industrial sectors.
For metalworking businesses, that includes investment in modern production equipment, workforce development, manufacturing efficiency and the technical accreditations required to access new markets. Brigham Pressings has pursued this approach through its investment in presswork capability, expansion of manufacturing expertise and involvement in research-led product development.
Its Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Birmingham City University, alongside the company’s wider new product development activities, reflects a commitment to bringing fresh technical and commercial thinking into an established manufacturing business Allen sees collaboration between manufacturers, universities and industrial customers as an important route to strengthening the UK’s position in global supply chains.
“The global manufacturing opportunity is substantial, particularly as aerospace and defence programmes expand and new technologies create demand for increasingly sophisticated components,” he said. “British manufacturers need the capacity, technical skills and commercial confidence to pursue that business. That means investing in modern equipment, developing our people and working closely with customers to understand where their requirements are heading.
“At Brigham Pressings, we have made our ambitions clear. We are developing our capabilities, broadening the markets we serve and building on the manufacturing expertise that has been established within the business over many years.”
The latest economic figures also arrive amid continuing debate over Britain’s industrial competitiveness and the role of domestic manufacturing in supporting economic growth. While pharmaceuticals made the largest contribution to August’s manufacturing expansion, accounting for more than half of the monthly increase, the improvement in transport equipment production offers a particularly relevant signal for companies supplying engineered components.
Aerospace, automotive and defence manufacturers operate within extensive international supply chains, creating opportunities for UK businesses capable of meeting demanding standards for quality, delivery and production performance. For Brigham Pressings, the priority is ensuring that British presswork and metal fabrication businesses are equipped to participate in those markets as investment gathers pace.
“The UK has a tremendous industrial heritage, and there is every reason to be ambitious about its future,” Allen concluded “We have businesses throughout the country producing highly engineered components, developing innovative manufacturing processes and investing in the skills needed to compete internationally.
“The growth recorded in August is encouraging. The bigger opportunity is to turn that momentum into sustained investment in British manufacturing capacity.
“Retaining and developing our pressed metal, tooling and fabrication industries will be an important part of that. These are capabilities that support the wider economy, and they deserve to be central to Britain’s long-term industrial ambitions.”