News that British automotive production is on the rise is could signal a bright future for the UK additive manufacturing industry, as the technology continues to permeate more and more industrial supply chains and workshops.
According to official figures published this week (June 3rd) by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, car production in the UK rose by 21.3 per cent in April 2014 to 133,437 units - the largest monthly rise for the industry since July 2012.
Year-to-date volumes from January to the beginning of April rose by nearly seven per cent, while exports increased by 8.7 per cent. This upturn, according to the Government department, is "good news for the thousands of suppliers and employees that rely on the industry, moreover the increased demand indicates the possibility of more investment in cutting-edge advanced manufacturing technologies such as metal additive manufacturing hardware.
The flourishing British car manufacturing industry data was boosted by Aston Martin's plans to create 250 jobs at the luxury carmaker, with this serious investment extending to growing its UK manufacturing facilities, with £20 million going into its manufacturing facility at Gaydon in Warwickshire.
The Government's figures are supported by today's announcement from the SMMT that an increase in May 2014 drove the UK's new car market to 27 months of sustained growth - the longest period of expansion since the late 1980s. Indeed, full-scale production of new models has boosted output at car manufacturing facilities nationwide, according to the automotive group's data.
SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes commented: "New model introductions are fuelling growth, while Europe – which currently accounts for around half of exports – is now seeing an upturn in demand. As investments continue to be realised, we expect further rises in the coming months; good news for the thousands of suppliers and employees across the country that rely on this industry."
