Create it and make it

We are creating and making

Whatever the form or function of our creations, we can be rightly proud of an amazing pedigree for invention, ingenuity and innovation. Lancashire not only excels at having bright ideas, but also knows how to convert those ideas into burgeoning enterprises.

Number one in the UK for advanced manufacturing

We employ over 85,000 specialists in the manufacturing and engineering sector with 3,500 of those employed in the automotive industry.

Number one in the UK for aerospace with over 500 aerospace supply companies making us the world’s 4th largest aerospace cluster

Today, major players like BAE Systems, Rolls Royce and Safran Nacelles employ more than 13,000 people in the area, giving us the greatest concentration of aerospace production in the UK. And we have room for more. The future is well on the way, in the shape of new Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, including the world’s most advanced, Taranis, being built right here. And with the Samlesbury Aerospace and Warton Aviation Enterprise Zones based at BAE Systems’ sites in Lancashire, there are thousands more jobs, countless apprenticeship and cutting edge logistics opportunities to come.

Lancashire makes a significant contribution to the whole aerospace supply chain with world-class firms like Senior Aerospace Weston, Magellan Aerospace, Rolls-Royce and Kaman to name but a few, operating in areas such as metal machining of aircraft structural and engine components, the process and treatment industry and engine subsystems.

However manufacturing in Lancashire runs broader and deeper than simply the aerospace sector. The area is home to a diverse spectrum of makers and technologists including Paccar, Westinghouse, Oscar winners AMS Neve, top 100 ‘Cool Brand’ recipients Graham & Brown and companies such as Panaz (Smart Fabrics), The Surface Print Company (wallcoverings) and Senator (one of Europe’s largest office furniture suppliers).

The Lancashire Advanced Manufacturing and Energy Cluster

Four key development sites have been combined into one dynamic, world-class and overarching investment destination – the Lancashire Advanced Manufacturing and Energy Cluster.

The cluster includes Samlesbury, Warton, Blackpool Airport and Hillhouse Enterprise Zone sites, which together combine to provide a world class offer to investors and occupiers in the advanced manufacturing, energy and engineering sectors. The cluster has the potential to generate 10,000 new high value jobs and ensure Lancashire builds on its position as one of the UK’s leading centres of excellence in advanced manufacturing and energy.

The UK’s largest source of STEM graduates

With a local student population of 62,000 and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and Lancaster University’s strong focus on engineering, providing a source of new talent that is nationally in short supply.

Potential to become a global leader in the development of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors

Over 37,000 people are employed in the power generation sector, with the sector receiving strong support from Lancaster University and UCLan, both of whom have internationally recognised centres of excellence in energy and environmental studies.

Green technologies and alternative sources of oil and gas are also recognised as being of importance to Lancashire.

Over 12,000 people are employed in civil engineering, a key area in energy infrastructureand provision; particularly in nuclear, renewables and water. It also represents a skills base which is nationally in short supply.

We are a vibrant, growth-driven digital and creative sector Lancashire creates, communicates and engages with a digital and creative sector that’s quickly becoming a central pillar of our economy. For example, Burnley is recognised as one of the country’s fastest growing local digital economies, with Lancashire as a whole home to over 400 creative and digital companies in the area making an annual GVA contribution of £700M – plus many more on our doorstep at Media City – we can boast leading players in design, fashion, film, media and broadcasting.

In terms of emerging industries, our strengths lie in health innovation, including digital health, digital technologies including big data and business process outsourcing. Importantly, existing sector strengths in food manufacturing, the visitor economy and the financial and professional service sectors all remain critical to Lancashire’s employment and productivity levels.