The Manufacturing Agenda
Looking ahead As manufacturers look towards 2026, the past year provides important context for the opportunities and risks ahead. While conditions remain challenging, confidence across the sector is still relatively strong. While it has softened from the unusually high levels seen in 2023, reflecting the more turbulent operating environment now, almost seven in 10 respondents (69%) still feel confident about the outlook for their business over the next 12 months, with only a small minority feeling unconfident (12%). This confidence reflects the resilience the sector has shown through a prolonged period of disruption. Manufacturers have continued to respond to shifting demand, cost volatility and geopolitical uncertainty, while also laying foundations for future growth. Lenders and investors have generally maintained a supportive stance, recognising the long-term potential and importance of the sector even as they adopt a more selective approach to capital deployment.
69%
However, confidence alone will not guarantee successful outcomes.
Our research highlights that manufacturers do not always have the in-house capacity or experience required to deliver complex programmes of change, and strategic decisions taken this year have not always delivered as intended. This places a greater premium on clear governance and access to specialist insight.
Almost seven in 10 respondents (69%) still feel positive about the year ahead, with only a small minority feeling unconfident (12%).
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