UK Business Information / Food and Drink Manufacturing
The food and drink manufacturing industry is the single largest manufacturing sector in the UK, with a turnover of £72.8bn, accounting for 15% of the total manufacturing sector. 440,000 people are employed in food manufacturing in the UK.
YORKSHIRE AND HUMBER
Yorkshire & Humber has the largest concentration of food and drink businesses in the UK, contributing £2.7bn to the regional economy. The regional industry is forecast to grow 3 times faster than the national average - 12% versus 4%.
Yorkshire and Humber has extensive, mature supply chains, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and one of the largest concentrations of distributors in the UK. Walmart-Asda, Wm Morrison, Aldi, Costcutter and Netto all have production plants, HQ or distribution units in Yorkshire and Humber.
More is spent on food and drink R&D in Yorkshire and Humber than any other region of the UK.
AIM UK , a centre for radio-frequency identification (RFID), and the Centre for Food Robotics & Automation (CenFRA) are two leading European R&D institutions for food and drink manufacture. Both test and develop cutting edge technologies to make the production and manufacture of food and drink as cost-effective and efficient as possible.
The School for Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Leeds and the Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA) have come together to from Food Chain CIC, an organisation actively promoting links between food manufacture R&D institutions and businesses in the Yorkshire and Humber region.
The National Skills Academy for Food and Drink Manufacture, based in York, is one of the main training bodies for those looking to become employed in the food and drink manufacturing industry. It also undertakes research about issues affecting the industry.
NORTH WEST
The food and drink industry in the North West has an annual turnover of £6.6 billion, 9% of the total UK turnover. There are 1,500 food manufacturing companies in the region, 13% of the total number in the UK.
87% of the food and drink companies in the North West employ less than 50 people, although large companies such as Prince's, Kellogg's and Warburton's operate out of the region too.
Baked goods is the largest food and drink industry sub-sector in the North West, employing 37% of the total food and drink manufacturing workforce. Meat is the next biggest sector, employing 17%.
For more information about food and drink manufacture in the North West region, visit Food NW.
OTHER NOTABLE INSTITUTIONS
The Institute of Manufacturing at the University of Cambridge carries out regular research into the food and drink industry, looking at ways to improve the manufacturing process.
FURTHER RESOURCES
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is the main governing body of the UK food and drink industry. A comprehensive list of smaller, specialised food sector associations is given here on the FDF website.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides detailed guidance and legislation for the food and drink manufacturing industry.
