Manufacturing is crucial to the economy, providing 10% of the UK’s gross value added (GVA), generating around 50% of our exports and accounting for 70% of business-led research and development. Our departure from the EU, and any resulting trade arrangements, will create challenges and opportunities for most companies’ supply chains and many firms are recognising the benefits of local supply chains. Despite the increase in the number of engineering and manufacturing firms that have benefited from government funding schemes in the past few years, a large portion of the firms in this industry still require specialist firms to provide them with extensive guidance. It’s imperative that such guidance is provided by experts who have experience in both the engineering industry as well in the financial sector to allow for a robust transfer of knowledge, across all areas.