Max headroom: making time and space for Welsh manufacturing SMEs to flourish

Pickernell, David, Rich, Nick, Davies, Gareth, Roberts, Annette ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6617-7808, Moghadam, Pouya Sarvghad, Walpole, Gary and Price, Alan 2024. Max headroom: making time and space for Welsh manufacturing SMEs to flourish. Welsh Economic Review 29 , pp. 17-28. 10.18573/wer.268

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Abstract

The Welsh manufacturing sector has undergone significant change over the last decade, with new technologies, greater promotion of the circular economy by policymakers, and a competitive environment affected by Brexit, covid and energy price rises, all impacting the business landscape. Consequently, Welsh manufacturing businesses, the vast majority of which are micro, small, or medium-sized enterprises, face issues concerning supply chains, training and skills, innovation, finance, infrastructure, and sustainability. This report summarises a recent study conducted by Swansea University, on behalf of the Federation of Small Businesses (Pickernell et al 2023). The research investigated the issues faced by Welsh small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and identified short-term problems with energy and infrastructure, and difficulties recruiting sufficient qualified staff, as well as a lack of Welsh-based suppliers for many of the resources Welsh SMEs required. The research also highlighted the gap between short-term pressures and long-term vision, but that bridging that gap would allow Welsh manufacturing businesses to place themselves on a more resilient footing, build skills and employment and prepare for future opportunities.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Business (Including Economics)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory T Technology > TS Manufactures
Publisher:	Cardiff University Press
ISSN:	2397-8716
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	15 April 2024
Date of Acceptance:	25 October 2023
Last Modified:	25 Jul 2024 12:52
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/167973

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