If there’s one thing thatmanufacturers should have learned in recent years, it’s to expect the unexpected. Brexit, the global pandemic, and the Ukraine war have caused economic turmoil that has posed major challenges for the manufacturing industry, least not the supply of raw materials and key commodities required for efficient and resilient production supply.

CNC turning combines long-established machining principles with cutting-edge Computer Numerical Control (CNC) technology, to deliver outstanding and consistently reliable results. Many businesses find it more cost effective to outsource some or all of their CNC turning requirements to an experienced precision machining provider, such as Hone-All.

The global pandemic had far-reaching effects for manufacturing businesses, not just in the UK, but worldwide. Supply chains proved to be more fragile than had been judged, particularly for businesses obtaining services, materials, or parts from the Far East.

CNC machining is a complex process that requires careful consideration of the final project parameters and the materials being used. Different metals and polymers require different tools and techniques to achieve the best results, which can have an impact on both your project costs and timescale, and the quality of the finished components. With this in mind, it is essential to understand how to pick the best material for the application.

The adoption of modern production control software applications, such as RedAnt, has profound implications for efficiency and productivity among SME manufacturers, and could significantly boost UK manufacturing output over the next few years.

The saying ‘speculate to accumulate’ has been in existence for more than 70 years: businesses must be prepared to invest to make meaningful gains. While this implies a degree of operational risk– the truth is that businesses cannot prosper unless they make significant investments in their assets which, for manufacturers, are facilities, materials, equipment, and personnel.

The skills shortage affecting the UK’s manufacturing sector is well-documented, the result of a combination of factors, including the changing face of the British workforce, the political upheaval of recent years, and the long-term impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Although many fields of industry are affected, manufacturing is suffering the most, with an estimated 85 per cent of businesses in the sector experience problems because of a shortage of skilled workers.

For months, news coverage has been dominated by talk about the possibility that the UK economy will soon be hit by a major recession. It’s something we’ve heard plenty of times before, with predicted recessions vastly outnumbering genuine downturns. This being said, it’s sensible for manufacturers to be prepared for all eventualities, including how to operate and to thrive during a possible economic downturn.

In manufacturing, efficiency is key to unlocking success and profitability. Businesses can strive to improve their efficiency in many areas of their operations but, where energy efficiency is concerned, external influences play a significant role in determining how much of your annual budget will be spent on electricity and gas.

Rising energy prices, which have continued unabated this year, have occurred because of increasing global demand, weaknesses in supply, and geopolitical problems, such as the war in Eastern Europe. But according to Government research, manufacturers in the UK could reduce their energy use, on average, by one-fifth by implementing some simple measures.

Research and Development (R&D) tax relief can transform the way your manufacturing business operates, by providing financial incentives for investing in innovation. For businesses keen to enhance their research and development to achieve growth, R&D tax credits are an invaluable way to inject cash into the organisation and address some of the challenges facing manufacturers today.

In this article, we discuss how R&D tax relief works, who is eligible, and how you can make the most of the scheme.