Why local businesses matter for UK Manufacturing

A personal perspective from Kevin Duffy, Managing Director of MPL Fabrications

There’s no doubt that UK manufacturing is going through an interesting period.

Having spent many years in the industry and now leading MPL Fabrications, I’ve seen plenty of changes in manufacturing. Some have been gradual, while others have happened incredibly quickly.

At the moment, we’re seeing a mixture of opportunity and uncertainty.

There are encouraging signs that manufacturing activity is improving, but businesses are still dealing with higher costs, skills shortages, supply chain pressures and the need to continually invest in technology and efficiency. Recent figures show that manufacturing remains a significant contributor to the UK economy, accounting for 8.5% of total economic output in the first quarter of 2026.

For me, the important question isn't simply "How is UK manufacturing performing?"

It's "What can businesses like MPL do to help make UK manufacturing stronger and why do local businesses matter?"

And I think a big part of the answer is to keep investing locally.

Manufacturing is an industry where standing still can quickly mean falling behind.

Customer expectations continue to change. Lead times need to be shorter, quality needs to be consistent and businesses need greater flexibility from their supply chains.

That's why we've continued to invest in MPL.

Over the past few years we've made significant investments in machinery, including our Bystronic press brake, LVD CNC punch machine, Morgan Rushworth hydraulic guillotine and, most recently, our Bodor I7 fibre laser cutting machine. The laser is our fourth major machinery investment in four years, (MPL Fabrications) and has been particularly important because it has allowed us to bring another process completely in-house.

Previously, some laser-cut components would be sent to trusted subcontractors. Now we can cut those components ourselves and move them directly into the next stage of production.

That means less transportation, fewer handovers, better control over scheduling and quicker turnaround.

But importantly, it also means we're keeping more manufacturing activity here in Coventry.

When you buy from a local manufacturer you're supporting a network of people, skills, suppliers and businesses, and at MPL, that means employing people locally, using local suppliers and contractors where we can; investing in our premises and equipment, and delivering products to customers using our own vehicles.

And this creates a ripple effect.

One manufacturing business supporting another helps keep money, skills and expertise within the local economy.

And that's particularly important in the Midlands, where manufacturing and engineering have been part of the region's identity for generations.

I don't think we should ever underestimate the importance of that.

While technology is a huge part of modern manufacturing, machinery doesn't run a business on its own.

People do.

MPL has team members who have been with us for decades, bringing an enormous amount of practical knowledge and experience to the factory floor.

Our welding team alone has more than 75 years of combined experience, and we have people across the business with extensive knowledge of fabrication, welding, design, production, quality and pricing.

That's something we're incredibly proud of.

We also have a responsibility to make sure those skills continue into the future and that's why we try to give younger people opportunities to experience engineering.

The UK manufacturing sector needs skilled people, and businesses like ours have a role to play in developing them.

One of the things I'm particularly proud of at MPL is the role we can play in supporting other manufacturers.

Not every business needs to own every piece of machinery – and it’s key to know what you do well – and what to let other people do.

Sometimes a manufacturer has a particularly busy period. Sometimes a large order comes in. Sometimes their own machinery is at capacity or a particular process needs specialist equipment.

That's where a company like MPL can help.

We can provide sheet metal fabrication, laser cutting, CNC punching, CNC bending, MIG and TIG welding, coded welding, powder coating, batch production, bespoke fabrication and finishing, with secure storage, call-off services and our own delivery vehicles also available.

Our aim is to make it as straightforward as possible.

You give us the requirements. We work out how to manufacture it.

I believe the future of manufacturing also has to be sustainable.

Bringing more processes in-house is helping us reduce unnecessary transport, while our tree planting programme, EV charging facilities and energy-efficient improvements are all part of our wider approach to reducing our environmental impact.

Our customers are increasingly asking the same questions of their own supply chains.

Where is the work being done?

How far is it travelling?

How much waste is being generated?

Can the process be made more efficient?

Local manufacturing can help answer some of those questions.

I'm optimistic about the future for MPL but that doesn't mean I think manufacturing will suddenly become easy. There will always be challenges.

The UK manufacturing sector will continue to face competition, changing costs, skills shortages and global uncertainty. Recent manufacturing data shows that while activity has shown signs of improvement, the sector is still operating in a challenging environment.

But I think that makes investment and collaboration even more important.

At MPL, our plan is to keep investing in our people, our machinery and our processes.

We want to increase our capacity, improve efficiency and make it easier for customers to use us as their fabrication partner.

And we want to continue doing that while retaining the things that have always made MPL what it is - family values, experienced people, personal service and a genuine commitment to our customers.

The UK has a proud manufacturing history and I'd like to think businesses like MPL can play a small part in ensuring it also has a strong manufacturing future.

For us, that means investing in Coventry.

It means creating opportunities.

It means developing skills.

It means supporting other local businesses.

And it means continuing to invest in the technology that allows us to compete, innovate and deliver for customers across the UK.

The government's Modern Industrial Strategy is also focused on increasing investment and strengthening key industries, so there is clearly a wider recognition of the importance of building a resilient UK industrial base.

But ultimately, it's businesses on the ground that have to make that happen.

We're proud to be one of them.