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Interview
At the same time, building broader supply‐chain resilience remains essential. Risks are increasingly shaped by customs and trade complexity rather than logistics alone. Tariff uncertainty, shifting rules of origin and emerging carbon border taxes can quickly make sourcing decisions cost‐inefficient if regulatory impacts are not fully understood. As manufacturers consider reshoring or reconfiguring supply chains, they must adopt operating models that embed trade compliance into commercial decision‐making, rather than treating it as an operational afterthought.
Manufacturers face National Insurance contributions and minimum wage rises, volatile tariffs, high energy costs and persistent skills shortages. These pressures are driving the need for rapid innovation. To remain competitive, businesses will need to accelerate automation, reduce costs, review energy sources and waste, and explore diversification into sectors such as defense and energy, while prioritizing both skills retention and expansion.
These challenges are significant, but through collaboration and shared ambition, the resilience and ingenuity of manufacturers will continue to strengthen and sustain the sector for the future. ■
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