Resources

Keep up to date with the latest Business Growth Hub / Lancashire manufacturing news, blogs, client case studies and our 50 factsheets.

Friday, March 24, 2023

Engineering degrees 5th most popular subject

New figures on engineering in higher education reveal that more and more young people are pursuing a career in the field via university as the skills crisis worsens, although diversity remains a problem.

Monday, March 20, 2023

Manufacturing highlights from Spring Budget 2023

The Spring Budget introduced a ‘full expensing’ scheme for capital allowances, changes in R&D tax relief and local boosts for Greater Manchester, but planned cuts to energy bill relief went unchanged.

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Demystifying Exporting for Manufacturers

It may not seem like it on the surface, but now is a great time to get started with exporting. Manufacturing Advisor and international trade expert Chris Manka shares his top tips for newcomers, who to mine for valuable information and debunks some of the myths that may have been putting you off.

Monday, February 20, 2023

Manufacturers urged to check SIC codes for energy bill relief

Manufacturers qualifying as ‘Energy and Trade Intensive Industries’ will be able to access enhanced energy bill support from government from April 2023, but only if their SIC code is in order.

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

T Levels event in March for manufacturers seeking talent

A free event in Manchester on 9 March aims to help SMEs in engineering and manufacturing understand how offering T Level placements can be the boost their business needs.

Friday, February 10, 2023

North West looking to inspire manufacturers to adopt robotics

A robotics showcase has been installed in Lancashire to help the region’s manufacturers unlock their potential, following findings that the UK is falling behind the competition on adopting industrial robots.

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Demystifying Marketing for Manufacturers

The world of marketing can strike fear into the heart of many a manufacturing leader, but as a process it’s probably more familiar than you might think.

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Energy costs top the bill as biggest concern for 2023

Energy costs are anticipated to be the single biggest rising cost facing manufacturers through a difficult 2023, pushing many to re-evaluate their business practices, new research says.

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Government’s new Energy Bill Discount Scheme explained

From April 2023 existing government relief on energy bills will be replaced with a significantly less generous discount scheme, although some manufacturers will be eligible for higher levels of support.

Monday, January 9, 2023

Final chance to access government-backed discounts on software

The government’s Help to Grow: Digital initiative, which provides advice and funding for eligible CRM, digital accounting and ecommerce software, will close to applicants in February 2023.

Monday, December 19, 2022

Manufacturers facing tough 2023, surveys show

The UK manufacturing sector is predicted to experience a 3% contraction in 2023, with rising costs set to continue ‘across the board’, according to research by Make UK.