Manufacturing and Engineering Newsletter – Spring 2025

Welcome to the Spring Edition of our Manufacturing and Engineering Newsletter.

And as we head further into 2025, you’ll no doubt be continuing to operate in a climate shaped by uncertainty – both at home and abroad. From persistent inflationary pressures to shifting trade dynamics, the global landscape remains volatile. For manufacturers in particular – who rely on steady supply chains, access to international markets, and confidence in long-term planning – this turbulence can feel particularly acute. One of the major sources of international disruption has been the recent escalation of trade tensions, particularly surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed rhetoric around tariffs. His proposed reimplementation of steep import duties –especially those targeting Chinese and European goods – has already sent ripples through global markets.

While these measures may be aimed at boosting domestic production in the U.S., they risk reigniting a cycle of retaliatory tariffs and fractured trade relations that could have serious implications for UK exporters and importers alike.

Closer to home, UK manufacturers are also contending with a host of challenges including rising energy costs, skills shortages, and an evolving regulatory environment post-Brexit. These issues are further compounded by global factors – geopolitical tensions, climate policy shifts, and the ever-changing state of consumer demand – all of which add layers of complexity to strategic planning and financial forecasting.

So, in these somewhat turbulent times, this edition looks at some of the more practical solutions you can put into place for support, including articles on:

• Why Cash Is Still Your Critical Survival Tool For Growth
• How To Build, Innovate and Grow With Business Grants
• Enterprise Management Incentives: The Cost-Effective Way to Attract & Retain Top Talent
• Hire Purchase or Operating Lease – What’s the Best Option?
• Supporting Suffolk’s Manufacturing & Engineering Sector
• Important Changes to FRS 102

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