Latest updates and stories from Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce and its Members

Whether it’s enhancing production efficiency, adopting cutting-edge technologies like automation, digital transformation, and AI, or driving sustainability initiatives, research and development (R&D) forms the backbone of innovation in manufacturing. In this thought leadership article, we delve into what HMRC is looking for in a validating manufacturing R&D tax relief claim.

MHA MacIntyre Hudson and Lloyds Bank Plc have now launched the latest Manufacturing Survey Report for 2019. The survey details that overall UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) manufacturers remain optimistic and confident about future growth, 

The British Chambers of Commerce’s quarterly economic survey – the UK’s largest private sector survey of business sentiment and a leading indicator of UK GDP growth

With the UK manufacturing PMI and CBI SME trends survey out today, Atul Kariya, head of manufacturing at MHA MacIntyre Hudson, comments on the urgent need to address the growing skills crisis threatening the sector:

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) today  publishes its Quarterly Economic Survey – the UK’s largest and most authoritative private-sector business survey.

Small and medium-sized businesses across the SEMLEP (South-East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership) area are being invited to a showcase event at Cranfield University, being held on 4 December 2017.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) today publishes its Quarterly Economic Survey – the UK’s largest and most authoritative private-sector business survey.

MHA MacIntyre Hudson and Lloyds Bank Plc have launched their much anticipated Manufacturing Survey Report for 2017/18. Our survey highlights that, 65% of respondents have achieved revenue growth this last year, compared with 50% the year before.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has published its Quarterly Economic Survey – the UK’s largest and most authoritative private-sector business survey. Based on the responses of over 7,700 businesses in Q2 2017, the results for both sectors indicate that the UK economy grew at a subdued rate in the second quarter of 2017.

Cranfield University is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Helen Atkinson CBE, FREng as Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of School of Aerospace, Transport Systems and Manufacturing. She will join Cranfield on 1 September.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) today publishes its Quarterly Economic Survey – the UK’s largest and most authoritative private sector business survey. 

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) today publishes its Quarterly Economic Survey – the UK’s largest and most authoritative private sector business survey. 

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Survey – Britain’s largest and most authoritative private sector business survey, based on over 8,500 responses from firms in Q1 2016 – suggests that growth in the UK economy continued to soften in the first quarter, with most key survey indicators either static or decreasing.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has today downgraded its UK GDP growth forecast, from 2.6% to 2.4% in 2015, from 2.7% to 2.5% in 2016, and from 2.7% to 2.5% in 2017.

Are you a manufacturing or engineering company based in the LU postcode?  If so, would you be interested in a fully funded student working with you with no financial outlay?

• The BCC's economic survey for Q2 2015 indicates continued UK economic growth, but highlights sharp differences between manufacturing and services.
• In services, the results remain broadly positive and signal growth.
• But in manufacturing, virtually all the key national balances recorded declines.

The University of Bedfordshire, Careers & Employability Service now have a dedicated placements team in recognition of the fact that work placements offer an unrivalled learning experience for students and an opportunity for employers to establish a tried and tested talent pipeline of the most ambitious undergraduates.

• BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey is the first major economic indicator of the year, and is closely watched by the Bank of England and the Treasury.
• Manufacturing and services firms reported somewhat weaker Q1 results in most areas (including exports, domestic markets and investment), but this follows very strong findings in Q4 2014.

• 58% of UK exporters believe their profitability will increase in the next 12 months
• The majority of exporting firms (81%) tried to recruit staff at the end of 2014
• John Longworth: ‘British exporters are rising to the challenge despite the uncertain global outlook.’

• BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey is the first major economic survey of the quarter, and is closely watched by the Bank of England and the Treasury
• The results show that whilst the economy is still growing, it slowed in Q3. Manufacturing and export balances were down on the quarter.

BCC Quarterly Economic Survey: service sector exports at new all time high

From local standout to national champion: Chamber Awards to put best of British business on the map

A Luton-based press manufacturer has agreed a £500,000 deal that will see it deliver a ‘world first’ to the South Coast in 2014.

• Manufacturing output rose 1.2% between August and September 2013, while total production increased by 0.9%
• In the three months to September 2013, manufacturing output rose 0.9% over the previous three months, but when compared with a year earlier, there was only a minimal increase (0.1%)

• Manufacturing output in August 2013 was -1.2% on the month, -0.2% on the year
• In the three months to August 2013, manufacturing output rose by 1.2% compared with the previous three months
• The UK deficit on trade in goods and services was £3.3bn in August, compared with a deficit of £3.4bn in July
• There was a deficit of £9.6bn on goods, partly offset by an surplus of £6.3bn on services

As a part of the EXHUME project  composites manufacturers are being invited  to take part in the Waste Mapping Workshop.

The workshop offer creation of process models that show material flows in a composites factory and highlight material usage and scrap generation that will allow identifying opportunities for material reuse within/across sectors.

Manufacturing output in May 2013: -0.8% on the month, -2.9% on the year
Total industrial production is 0.0% on the month, -2.3% on the year

• Manufacturing output in April 2013: -0.2% on the month, -0.5% year on year
• Total industrial production in April 2013: +0.1% on the month, -0.6% year on year

Manufacturing and engineering are recognised as being vital to the health of our local and national economies.  It's important that Bedfordshire's prominence in these sectors is fostered and developed.