North East manufacturers chalk up top output growth

North East manufacturers have seen one of the best recoveries in output since the pandemic and are leading all but one other English region.

A new study from sector body Make UK and accountancy and business advisory firm BDO points to the region having seen the second highest increase in output of any English region in the last decade. The research shows North East output since 2013 has grown by 30%, while output in 2023 was 14% above the pre-pandemic levels recorded in 2019.

The Make UK/BDO Annual Regional Manufacturing Outlook report shows three major sectors account for half of North East manufacturing production. The largest sector is the pharmaceuticals sector with almost a quarter (23.8%) of output, followed by transport sector - largely automotive - at 17.7% and then metal products at 10.7%.

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