The region’s advanced engineering and materials sector includes aerospace, automotive, chemicals and advanced flexible materials. Many of the UK’s manufacturing companies and major international companies have established bases for advanced manufacturing and engineering projects in England’s Northwest.

The industry is constantly evolving through continued investment in knowledge and technology. The sector includes sub-sectors such as aerospace, automotive, chemicals medical devices and advanced flexible materials.

Aerospace: England’s Northwest is the largest single centre of aerospace manufacturing in the UK and a leading centre of excellent in Europe, boasting over 90 years of expertise in aerospace production. World class products designed and developed in the region include Nimrod, Tornado, Airbus wings and the RB-211 jet engine. In total, more than 100 major aircraft types have their roots in the region. Over 60,000 people work in the sector, contributing AUD14 billion to the regional economy through companies such as BAE Systems, Airbus and TRW-Lucas.

Automotive: Home to vehicle manufacturers such as Jaguar/Land Rover, General Motors/Vauxhall, Leyland and Bentley, the Northwest of England is the second largest region in the UK for the manufacture of vehicles and vehicle components. The Halewood plant in Merseyside produces the Jaguar X-Type and the Land Rover Freelander 2 and is one of the most advanced plants worldwide. With an annual turnover of AUD18 billion, the automotive sector accounts for 12 per cent of UK automotive sales and is host to 450 automotive companies of which 200 are major automotive supply chain companies.

Chemicals: The Northwest of England is also the UK’s largest regional centre for chemical manufacturing, an industry that is the region’s largest exporter, generating an astounding AUD20 billion in sales. Sixty per cent of the world’s Top 50 companies have bases in the Northwest. The sector has 43,000 highly skilled employees, helping support a further 120,000 jobs.

Advanced Flexible Materials: Another key strength of the region is its proud heritage and cutting edge expertise in the textiles industry. Specialist markets such as Advanced Flexible Materials (AFM) are burgeoning sub-sectors. In fact, the Northwest is now considered the leading AFM centre in Europe.