During the past few decades, British manufacturing has endured an extended period of decline, and the pharmaceutical and health technology sector is no exception. Trading conditions have been tough. Underinvestment, ageing plants, the strength of sterling and the inability to compete with overseas manufacturers on price have seen inevitable plant closures and job losses. Those who haven’t faced up to the challenges have either folded or have seen manufacturing relocated to other sites in different countries.
The result of the decline in UK manufacturing is that, currently, when businesses in the pharma and health technology sector look to outsource, the vast majority turn to Europe, America and the Far East, driven by a desire to maximise cost savings. We’re now at a turning point, and with big political changes in Europe currently under way, the industry has the opportunity to become a real centre for manufacturing and outsourcing once again.
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