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Advanced Manufacturing in Manchester

Sectors

Few cities can claim to have changed the world. Manchester is one of them. From the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution to the global discovery of graphene, the city region continues to shape the future of advanced manufacturing and materials.

Today, Manchester is home to the UK’s largest advanced manufacturing and engineering cluster, a 120,000-strong workforce, world-leading research assets and a deeply connected supply chain. For businesses looking to innovate, scale and future-proof their operations, this is a location that delivers commercially, technically and sustainably.

With devolved powers enabling agile decision-making, strong collaboration between industry and academia, and productivity growth outperforming every other UK region, Manchester offers manufacturers the confidence to invest and the ecosystem to grow.

Why advanced manufacturers choose Manchester

Advanced materials: from discovery to commercial reality

Manchester is globally recognised as the birthplace of graphene, and has built one of the world’s most advanced ecosystems for materials research, development and deployment.

Since graphene was first isolated at the University of Manchester in 2004, the region has attracted:

  • 400+ researchers and engineers
  • 400+ industry collaborations
  • 65 spin-out companies
  • £122m of investment
  • A Nobel Prize for ground-breaking research

Today, businesses benefit from world-class facilities focused on turning breakthrough science into market-ready solutions.

Automotive, aerospace and future mobility

Located at the heart of Europe’s largest aerospace cluster and the UK’s second-largest automotive hub, Greater Manchester is a natural base for next-generation mobility.

Capabilities span lightweighting, advanced materials, EV powertrains, semiconductors, software and autonomy, supported by deep engineering expertise and proximity to global OEMs including Jaguar Land Rover, Bentley, Toyota, Airbus, Safran and Rolls-Royce

Semiconductors and electronics

Manchester is a UK leader in 2D materials, semiconductors and advanced electronics, with growing strengths in AI-enabled chip design, advanced computing and data-driven manufacturing, supported by the UK’s largest AI workforce outside London.

Chemicals and advanced materials processing

At the heart of the North West chemical cluster, Greater Manchester is home to 600+ chemicals companies, employing 22,000 people and generating £12bn in industry sales. Global firms including BASF, LyondellBasell and Sun Chemical operate major UK facilities here, supported by deep R&D capability and scalable industrial sites.

Food, drink and sustainable packaging 

With over 700 food and beverage companies and 200+ packaging and materials science firms, Manchester offers a full end-to-end ecosystem – from sustainable sourcing and advanced materials to smart labelling, automation and low-carbon production.

Industry 4.0: where digital meets manufacturing

Manchester’s industrial legacy now powers Industry 4.0 innovation, with strengths in robotics, additive manufacturing, AI, cyber and IoT.

Businesses benefit from assets such as:

  • North of England Robotics Innovation Centre (NERIC)
  • PrintCity at Manchester Metropolitan University
  • Advanced Machinery and Productivity Institute
  • Turing Innovation Catalyst
  • Centre for Robotics and AI, University of Manchester

Together, these enable manufacturers to automate, digitise and scale faster.

Supported at every stage

Through Invest Manchester, advanced manufacturing businesses receive free, confidential and tailored support, including:

  • Site and property solutions
  • Access to R&D assets and partners
  • Talent and skills support
  • Funding and innovation programmes
  • Connections into supply chains, clusters and decision-makers

Whether you’re scaling production, developing new materials or entering the UK market for the first time, Manchester gives you the platform to move faster and go further.

Build what’s next, in the city that always has…

Rachel Eyre

Head of Sector, Advanced Manufacturing and Low Carbon

  • Over 10 years of experience attracting new investment and employment to Greater Manchester. 
  • Deep insight into the Advanced Manufacturing and Low Carbon sector, regionally and internationally.

Get in Touch with our Specialist Advisor