Sector series report

The Manufacturing Agenda: What is driving board-level decisions in UK manufacturing

UK manufacturers are facing a mix of cost pressure, regulatory change, supply chain disruption and uneven access to funding. This report brings together insights from more than 1,000 senior decision makers to show how boards are responding, where pressure points are emerging and which capabilities will shape performance in 2026.

Download the report
Why the strongest recovery can create the biggest cash squeeze
Quick read
Why the strongest recovery can create the biggest cash squeeze
Growth does not usually kill manufacturers. Unfunded growth often does. The latest S&P UK manufacturing PMI printed 51.9 for July, down…
Circularity needs customers: the commercial gap in UK plastics recycling
Quick read
Circularity needs customers: the commercial gap in UK plastics recycling
If the first test for UK recyclers is whether EU customers continue to value UK-processed material, the second is more structural:…
The Nissan-Chery Partnership: A New Blueprint for the Decision Economy?
Quick read
The Nissan-Chery Partnership: A New Blueprint for the Decision Economy?
The automotive industry is currently a masterclass in the pressures of the modern manufacturing landscape.  We’ve seen the headlines this…
Why sustainability is now central to manufacturing strategy
Quick read
Why sustainability is now central to manufacturing strategy
Sustainability has become the most frequent trigger for board‑level debate in UK manufacturing over the past year. FRP’s latest…
Resilience isn’t free: The new financial reality for manufacturers
Quick read
Resilience isn’t free: The new financial reality for manufacturers
As part of FRP’s Manufacturing Agenda, we’ve been looking closely at how geopolitical disruption is changing not just supply chains, but…

Press releases

Manufacturing trends and business strategy

Insight
FRP Restructuring Advisory team secures sale for national bathroom products distributor, Robert Lee
Advisers to national distributor Robert Lee on its sale to Roxor Group
Insight
Cardinal Global Logistics becomes world’s biggest employee-owned logistics firm
New chapter for logistics giant Cardinal Global
Insight
Autonumis acquired by South African manufacturing group Directech
Acquisition sees 52 jobs transfer
Insight
FRP supports transformer manufacturer
Investment enables Carrol & Meynell to exit CVA
Insight
FRP supports sale of heritage manufacturing firm
FRP secures rescue deal and exit for shareholders
Insight
Jobs saved at Newcastle manufacturing business
FRP secures sale of business to national welding manufacturer, Wholesale Welding Supplies Limited

Success stories

Guiding our clients with tailored strategies and long-term solutions.

Insight
Advisers to Condale Plastics on sale to Lifeco
Condale Plastics appointed FRP Corporate Finance to support on transaction
Insight
FRP supports Inspirit’s Alpha3 acquisition
FRP’s Debt Advisory team secured the asset-based financing package for Inspirit Capital’s acquisition of Alpha3
Insight
Sale secures strong future for welding business
FRP’s Restructuring Advisory team find buyer for welding business facing cashflow crisis, saving jobs and sites
Insight
MBO safeguards jobs for historic paper business
FRP successfully concluded a sale that safeguarded 500 jobs at two historic paper mills

Explore all our insights

Explore everything from podcasts to case studies

Quick read
Why the strongest recovery can create the biggest cash squeeze
Growth does not usually kill manufacturers. Unfunded growth often does. The latest S&P UK manufacturing PMI printed 51.9 for July, down…
Case Study
FRP supports Seaforth Holdings on a second acquisition.
FRP’s Financial Advisory team support Seaforth Holdings with financial and tax due diligence on its most recent acquisition of Indestructible Paint.
Quick read
Circularity needs customers: the commercial gap in UK plastics recycling
If the first test for UK recyclers is whether EU customers continue to value UK-processed material, the second is more structural:…
Case Study
Rescue and sale of Lakes Bathrooms secures future for leading UK manufacturer
With the critical festive trading period looming and imminent winding-up action from HMRC, the owners of a national hospitality group turned to FRP Advisory for urgent restructuring support.
Quick read
The Nissan-Chery Partnership: A New Blueprint for the Decision Economy?
The automotive industry is currently a masterclass in the pressures of the modern manufacturing landscape. We’ve seen the headlines this…
Case Study
FRP supports Humble Group AB on another acquisition
FRP’s Financial Advisory team provide FDD and buy-side advice to Swedish FMCG company Humble Group
Quick read
Why sustainability is now central to manufacturing strategy
Sustainability has become the most frequent trigger for board‑level debate in UK manufacturing over the past year. FRP’s latest…
Quick read
Resilience isn’t free: The new financial reality for manufacturers
As part of FRP’s Manufacturing Agenda, we’ve been looking closely at how geopolitical disruption is changing not just supply chains, but…
Quick read
Beyond Survival: Navigating the 2026 Manufacturing Inflection Point
The narrative for UK manufacturing in early 2026 has been a tale of two areas. While a new national Industrial Strategy initially sparked…
Case Study
FRP supports international growth financing for TICC services provider Certek
Robust due diligence supports Certek’s rapid expansion.
Quick read
How the Iran conflict is driving a new cost shock for UK Manufacturing
As part of FRP’s Manufacturing Agenda, we’ve been tracking how geopolitical volatility is reshaping the cost base, resilience assumptions…
Quick read
How ABL lenders can structure and monitor brewery facilities that hold up under stress
Brewery borrowing bases fail for predictable reasons. The issue is rarely the assets themselves. The real test is whether the borrower…