Manufacturing & Supply Chain

Growth in the aerospace, textiles, electronics, metals and machinery industries pushed the value of UK manufacturing output to £156.5 billion in Q3 2025, according to an analysis of ONS data by FourJaw Manufacturing Analytics. Although this level was 1.7% (£2.6 billion) more than the same period in 2024, inflation data indicate that the real level of production could be around 1% lower than a year ago.

Manufacturers of aircraft, spacecraft & related machinery delivered substantial year-on-year productivity gains and a 26.5% (£1.6bn) increase in output in the three months to September, while the production of metals, metal products & machinery output was up 7.0% (£798m).

UK computer, electronic & electrical products manufacturing increased by 5.9% (£610m), and textiles, apparel & leather output was 10.0% (£244m) more than in Q3 2024.

The value of UK food production and chemicals & pharmaceutical preparations also increased year-on-year, by 4.1% (£1.1bn) and 2.5% (£358m) respectively. However, much of this was due to higher prices. The real level of food production was 0.7% (£192m) higher in 2024, while chemicals & pharmaceutical productivity fell by 0.4% (£53m).

Overall growth levels in UK manufacturing were dragged downwards by significant declines in automotive and petroleum production. There was an 18.1% (£437m) fall in coke & refined petroleum output between Q3 2024 and Q3 2025, and a 12.6% (£2.5bn) reduction in motor vehicle & trailer manufacturing. Production in the automotive sector was heavily impacted by a cyberattack that halted operations at a major automotive manufacturer during this period.

Other sectors where output had declined compared to the same period in 2024 were alcohol & tobacco products, where output fell by 0.3% (£18m), and paper, paper products & printed material, where it declined by 2.1% (£128m).

Chris Iveson, CEO at FourJaw Manufacturing Analytics, comments: “Given the uncertain geopolitical situation, the cost increases UK manufacturers must bear, and the major headwinds our automotive sector faces from tariffs and supply chain disruption, the fact that significant sections of the UK manufacturing base have delivered further growth is encouraging.”

“The big picture for UK manufacturing is one of productivity and operational excellence in the face of adversity. Our manufacturers have digitised faster than any other area of UK industry and have achieved productivity gains that exceed most other major manufacturing economies in recent years.“