Northern Ireland manufacturers lead UK with decade-long growth surge

Defying a UK-wide manufacturing downturn, Northern Ireland manufacturers have posted a 32% rise in turnover and a 16% employment boost over the last decade, according to a new report by Austin Consultants. While UK output dipped 8% in real terms, NI emerged as one of four regional bright spots, alongside Scotland, the West Midlands, and Yorkshire & Humber.

The report credits Northern Ireland’s success to strategic digital transformation—especially the adoption of industrial IoT, robotics, and automation—which has lifted per-worker productivity by 9%, reaching £208,000 per employee in 2024. Sectors such as food and beverage, medical, and fabricated metal have led the charge.

While challenges like high upfront costs and legacy tech remain, the findings underline the competitive edge of digitally agile manufacturers—particularly SMEs that are starting to catch up with larger players.

See how Northern Ireland is reshaping UK manufacturing through innovation, productivity, and digital grit. Read more.