Features - UK Economy



More than a nation of hairdressers 18/09/2012

Rolls-Royce, our showpiece manufacturer, says it's time for the government to deliver on a formal industrial strategy. The blueprint must begin with a national curriculum steeped in maths and science, says Colin Smith, director of engineering. Max Gosney reports
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Your guide to.... The Skills Olympics 05/09/2012

Engineering's finest will go head to head in a series of events at the Skills Show to crown outstanding apprentice talent. Tickets are hotter than London 2012 and they are guaranteed to boost your career prospects. Max Gosney finds out more:

Declaration of independence 17/01/2012

Fed up after decades in the political wilderness, a resurgent UK manufacturing sector says going it alone offers the best route to glory in 2012. Max Gosney reports on the revolutionary spirit surfacing at WM's Outlook roundtable

2012: year of the underdog 13/12/2011

The high street's in crisis, the eurozone in meltdown and the global economy fraught – so why do so many manufacturers have a spring in their step? Max Gosney reports on the surprising results of WM's Manufacturing Outlook research

Improvement taken for granted 13/12/2011

Grant McPherson learned to manufacture the Japanese way after two decades at Honda. Now the new Jaguar Land Rover boss tells Max Gosney about the CI secrets driving up standards at JLR's Castle Bromwich site

China vs Europe: a manufacturing mismatch? 28/10/2011

European manufacturing leaders discuss whether their days are numbered as the pre-eminent manufacturing power at the NG Manufacturing summit in Spain

China syndrome 20/10/2011

Eyes were fixed firmly east as European manufacturing leaders gathered at the recent NG Manufacturing Summit in Spain to debate the sector's future. Max Gosney reports

Playground tactics 20/07/2011

Manufacturing has to muscle in on the school curriculum to end the shortage of skilled workers that has long haunted the sector, rules WM's new industry think tank, the Leaders Forum in association with Bourton Group

Energy Report 2011 15/03/2011

Soaring utility prices are forcing manufacturers to beef up a raft of measures to save energy on site, according to WM's Energy Report. Yet, these activities are mostly about bringing down bills rather than any long-term vision of sustainability. Max Gosney reports

Breaking the cycle 15/03/2011

Brompton has rapidly become a thriving SME thanks to its innovative folding bikes. MD Will Butler-Adams tells Max Gosney how he'll use the brand's appeal to buck an industry trend and keep on growing into a global giant.

Great expectations 19/01/2011

As 2011 dawns, WM unites industry leaders and grassroots site managers to debate the big issues facing the sector, as revealed in our Manufacturing Outlook survey last month. From securing credit to solving the skills crisis, the panel uncovers what manufacturers plan to do to drive success in the year ahead

Skills crisis comes of age 19/01/2011

The government promises to put its full weight behind apprentices. Should we all be cheering? Annie Gregory thinks it depends on your age

Confidence is king 14/12/2010

After a wave of optimism in 2010, manufacturers are talking up their prospects of sustained growth in 2011. And, as WM's Outlook research findings show, they're not afraid to put their money where their mouth is. Max Gosney reports

Beating the axe 17/11/2010

The axe has fallen as the government unveiled its comprehensive spending review. Max Gosney finds out whether manufacturing avoided the chopping block in £83bn worth of cuts