
Industry Insights
2025 industry outlook – North East engineering and manufacturing
3rd February 2025
Engineering and Manufacturing Network (EMN) works at the heart of the engineering and manufacturing sector on North East England, and has members from start-ups and SMEs to multinationals. It’s fair to say, therefore, that Director of Development Ailsa Anderson has her ear to the ground in the region – and she has shared her thoughts on the year ahead.
What key announcements are you looking out for in 2025?
The UK Government’s Industrial Strategy launch could provide the clarity and direction that the sector needs to drive growth.
The National Business Growth Service and Small Business Strategy should directly impact many of EMN members in a positive way – but only if the Government implements these effectively.
What technology will be making an impact this year?
AI and its development will start to have an impact at every level and type of business. Data management and interpretation is key to increased performance, reduction in costs and productivity gains and those that embrace it will reap the benefits. Companies that don’t do that will struggle to compete.
How will the engineering and manufacturing sector will evolve in 2025? What are the main challenges?
This is going to be a tough year, especially with the NI challenges that will be faced come April 2025.
Recruitment pressures have eased in certain areas, but finding and paying for specialist highly technical roles across the sector is still a challenge for many businesses, especially with a number of large-scale investment projects coming on line.
However, there will be opportunities in new and emerging sectors that SMEs can think about tapping into, and many of our EMN members are already doing just that. Diversification, embracing new technology, AI and data management are all key.
However, businesses will need to keep up with technological changes and find time to implement them, whilst maintaining productivity and delivering on orders. That could be a challenge for some companies.
What can we expect from EMN in 2025?
EMConf, our flagship conference, is scheduled for Friday 4th April and this year the focus is on maintenance, asset management, quality and legislative changes. It will provide important CPD opportunities for maintenance, operations and production staff.
EMCON 25 is planned for 18th September 2025, and will take place again at Sunderland Live in Rainton. This year we’ll not only have the Main Arena Exhibition, but we’ll be delivering the Innovation Showcase again, offering a Meet the Buyer event, hosting the North East Maintenance Forum and working with some fantastically interesting speakers
Across the rest of the year we’ll be running our traditional ‘company safaris’ and we’re also working on SME Supply chain events too. For more information, follow us on LinkedIn or look at our website calendar where you will find information not just about EMN events but also on the many valuable events delivered by our members.
Incorporated in 2015, EMN is an engineering and manufacturing-focused, trusted cross-sector membership organisation, dedicated to supporting businesses and their people in North East England.
It helps members to solve problems and overcome challenges, by combining informed signposting and personal introductions with the power of a knowledgeable community of businesses and a range of expert affiliate partners, which includes Horizon Works.
For more information on EMN, visit emn.org.uk