Top 10 manufacturing companies in the UK

The Industrial Revolution of 1760 saw items being manufactured by machines in large quantities in factories in British cities. The most pivotal inventions which came out of the first Industrial Revolution include the steam engine and later, the telegraph - the first form of electronic communication. 

Now, British manufacturing covers a range of sectors, from aircraft to biscuits, pharmaceuticals to luxury cars. 

In what was once an industry powered by steam and coal, manufacturers are now moving to sustainable energy, from hydrogen to solar power. 

Here are our Top 10 manufacturing companies in the UK.

10. Jaguar Land Rover UK

Headquartered: Coventry

Luxury vehicle manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover UK is an iconic British brand, known for its combination of graceful style and adventure, sold in more than 170 countries. 

Jaguar Land Rover UK has a rich history of innovation and with its modern engineering, the company has a bold vision for the future. 

9. pladis Global

Headquartered: London

Founded in 2016, pladis Global is the food manufacturer busy ‘baking happiness’, from the field to the kitchen, with food such as Jaffa Cakes and Flipz.

pladis Global also encompasses United Biscuits - known for Belvita and McVities. pladis also featured in our Top 10 biscuit manufacturers. 

8. INEOS 

Headquartered: London

Chemical manufacturer INEOS produces energy and makes materials, used across various industries, from healthcare to technology, agriculture to transport. The company is diligently working to support businesses reach their zero carbon emission goals and implementing carbon emission reduction, all the while investing in the green energy transition and manufacturing sustainable products.

7. Bentley Motors

Headquartered: Crewe, Cheshire

Another luxury car manufacturer, Bentley Motors was founded in 1919 and is synonymous with British manufacturing. The company aims to build ‘the world's most desirable cars’, 

The company recently completed a ‘Hydrate the Nation’ challenge, which saw 500 employees drink more water, to support a hydration-consciousness culture in the workplace.

6. CNH

Headquartered: London

Founded in 1842, CNH Industrial specialises in agriculture machinery and construction equipment, while ‘Sustainably advancing the noble work of agriculture and construction workers’.

The company innovates for greater efficiency and to maintain a diverse and inclusive workplace. Its philanthropic arm ‘CNH Industrial Foundation’ transforms communities in three ways: Civic & Community Empowerment, Food Security and Disaster Relief.

5. BAE Systems

Headquartered: London

Among one of the biggest defence manufacturers, BAE Systems is at the forefront of defence and security systems. Its products range from Amphibious Vehicles to military aircraft and even submarines.

BAE Systems will be net zero by 2030 and is also involved in executing justice on the dark web. From protecting the planet to the vulnerable, BAE Systems is ready for the next generation of engineers to join the company.

4. GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) 

Headquartered: Brentford, Middlesex

GSK (also known as GlaxoSmithKline) runs nine pharma manufacturing facilities across the UK and is involved in the Research and Development of treatment for HIV, infectious diseases, immunology and respiratory issues, as well as oncology. The company has a ‘forward-thinking and equitable approach to healthcare’, with its 69,000 GSK employees spread across 115 countries. 

3. Rolls-Royce

Headquartered: Derby

Founded in 1906 in the Manchester manufacturing hub, Rolls-Royce is a vehicle, aerospace and defence company, now headquartered in Derby. 

The company is investigating sustainable fuels and technologies to use in the manufacturing of its products, to reduce emissions and win the approval of stakeholders. 

In the first half of 2023, underlying sales for Rolls-Royce's Power Systems business unit leapt 24% to £1.8 bn (€2bn). 

2. Diageo

Headquartered: London

Diageo is a global alcoholic beverages manufacturer which produces spirits, beers and wines.

Founded in 1997, Diageo is dedicated to honouring its brands’ pasts while modernising. Earlier this year, a partnership was announced with Encirc, a leading glass manufacturer. Encirc will build a hydrogen powered furnace to manufacture the world’s first net zero glass bottles. It will begin production in 2027 and by 2030, Diageo expects to produce 200 million net zero bottles of Smirnoff, Captain Morgan, Gordon’s and Tanqueray, lowering Diageo’s carbon emissions by 90%.

1. Airbus UK

Headquartered: Bristol

Airbus is a multinational aerospace corporation that designs, manufactures and sells commercial aircraft, helicopters and even space systems.

As a part of the larger Airbus Group, Airbus UK designs and manufactures aircraft wings from its main site in Bristol. 

Airbus UK is working to respect the planet, support its people and ‘enable prosperity’ across its operations and activities. In 2022, Airbus generated revenues of €58.8bn and had an 11,000-strong UK workforce, who are a part of a global Airbus family of 125,000 employees.

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Other magazines that may be of interest - Healthcare Digital. 

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