Keep calm and carry on

Meanwhile, in the spirit of carry on, at MACH 2026, the High Value Manufacturing Catapult (HVM Catapult) unveiled a new long-term technology strategy designed to help UK industry develop, adopt and scale the advanced manufacturing capabilities needed to remain globally competitive.

Developed in collaboration with more than 150 industry partners, the strategy outlines a 15-year roadmap for translating emerging technologies into market-ready products. It provides a framework to guide investment and capability development across HVM Catapult’s national network of centres through to 2040.

At its core, says the Catapult, are a series of technology roadmaps that map how critical manufacturing capabilities must evolve to address key national priorities. These include supporting the clean energy transition, strengthening national security, advancing healthy living, and improving industrial sustainability.

The roadmaps also identify specific opportunities for innovation and scale-up across sectors. These range from developing digital twin technologies in composite engineering to enable next-generation floating offshore wind turbines, to advancing joining techniques for future nuclear reactor fleets, and scaling manufacturing processes to meet rising demand for personalised medicines.

The strategy has been highlighted as a key milestone within the UK government’s modern industrial strategy, particularly in supporting ambitions to significantly increase business investment in advanced manufacturing.

Another entity advocating for industry in the UK is the Manufacturing Technologies Association, organiser of MACH 20206, which also used the 2026 edition of its biennial event, to announce the findings of its recent "Sovereign capacity and industrial strategy". According to the findings, thousands of firms are keen to support the national mission to reduce the UK’s manufacturing dependence on international partners, especially in the wake of recent global conflicts and economic uncertainty.
Unsurprisingly, those surveyed also called on the Government to help the ‘sovereign push’ by providing grants, greater tax incentives, and more support for training. James Selka, CEO of the MTA has suggested a ‘sovereign capability fund’ to support companies involved in, for example, defence, aerospace, med tech and energy. And of course that old chestnut, the price of energy, reared its ugly head again, with UK comapnies having to deal with  some of the highest costs in the world.

Anything that can be done to strengthen the UK industrial sector has got to be seen as a positive, but whether the Government is willing or able to provide more support remains to be seen.

Charlotte Stonestreet

Editor