Understanding the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on UK manufacturing and identifying priorities for renewal through innovation

This project seeks to address and mitigate the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the UK manufacturing industry. The pandemic is having a profound effect on UK manufacturing. There is an urgent need for action if we are to limit the scarring effects of the pandemic on the future of UK manufacturing. Improving innovation capability within manufacturing firms and across manufacturing supply chains is going to be important if we are to "build a future which is greener, safer and healthier than before". This project will: 1.Understand the manufacturing landscape post lockdown (by month 6). The project will start by gathering a clear picture of the effects of Covid-19 on UK manufacturing firms and supply chains. This will be done through a large scale survey combined with a smaller number of interviews. 2. Identify vulnerabilities and explore scenarios for UK manufacturing supply chains (by month 8). Using data from phase 1 and existing understanding of UK supply chains, the research team will analyse areas of vulnerability. Working with scenario experts, they will then develop a number of scenarios that will be useful for policy makers and those involved in manufacturing in the UK. 3. Provide insights into developing innovation capabilities that will help secure a stronger future for UK manufacturing (by months 12). The researchers will use their existing academic knowledge, combined with the data from phases 1 & 2 to identify some of the targeted actions that could help UK manufacturing to develop innovation capability, within the firm and also across supply chains. 4. Develop an audit tool for innovation capability across supply chains (month 15) and use it to analyse one supply chain that is identified as vulnerable (month 18).