Manufacturing NI’s Q4 member survey provides a snapshot of how manufacturers are navigating an increasingly complex operating environment, while continuing to build on NI’s core strengths.
The feedback that we received from across the sector indicates that confidence in manufacturing in Northern Ireland remains broadly intact. Most of our respondents still regard NI as a good place to operate, citing strong market access and a resilient industrial ecosystem. However, people are aware of the growing areas of concern and increasingly challenging environment.
Outlook: Cautious optimism balanced by realism
When asked what firms expect from the next 12 months- we received a mixed response, with a third of firms expecting marginal growth, but nearly the same amount expecting a marginal decline. This is understandable, considering the main challenges that are faced across the sector.
Pressures: Costs and labour remain the defining issues
Across manufacturing and other industries, a range of cost increases continue to dominate strategic decision-making. Rising input costs, energy, inflation and tax pressures head the list of concerns. Getting the right access to labour follows closely, with firms continuing to struggle to secure the skilled, productive workforce they need. Wage inflation, regulatory friction linked to the implementation of the Windsor Framework, and the challenge of accessing government support were all highlighted by firms as other factors adding layers of complexity to doing business.
Opportunities: NI’s competitive advantages still matter
Despite the pressures, several opportunity areas stand out. Our unique position offering dual-market access remains a strategic differentiator for NI manufacturers, offering reach into both the UK and EU markets. Businesses also point to growth prospects through automation, digitalisation and robotics; improving economic conditions locally and internationally; and NI’s relative position on US tariffs. There is also growing interest in the commercial benefits of meeting customer and consumer expectations on decarbonisation.
These results will help us frame what we need to do to support you and your firm over the next year, and highlights what concerns and opportunities that the sector faces. We look forward to running this again, and if you feel this is not representative of your needs, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@manufacturingni.org