UWrap Ltd, shrink wrapping machine experts, believes technology has helped to maintain output despite fall in workers

Despite a considerable decline in Britons working in the manufacturing sector, output today is above what it was in the 70s, fresh analysis released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows, a fact that UWrap Ltd says shows just how important technological improvements have been.

The findings are the result of a collaborative initiative by the ONS and Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) called The Changing Shape of UK Manufacturing and fly in the face of commonly held beliefs about poor manufacturing output.

Manufacturing growth was shown to have increased roughly 2.8 percent year-on-year since 1948, despite manufacturing recording a declining economy share – last year it represented 10 percent of the economy, down on the 36 percent recorded in ’48. Outsourcing and the decline of the textile industry are through to be two of the main reasons for a shrinking workforce.

ONS chief economist, Joe Grice, said: “The manufacturing industry has changed markedly over the past 60 years. It is becoming more productive, despite a steady fall in the number of people employed and broadly stable capital stock, and economic downturns in the 1970s, early 1990s, and notably 2008-9.

“There are several factors at work – a better quality and more skilled workforce; a shift from the production of low-to-high productivity goods; an improvement in the information technology base; more investment in research and development; and a more integrated global economy.”

While EEF chief economist, Lee Hopley, believes “the right business environment for manufacturing and a focus on rebalancing will ensure the sector continues to have a positive impact on the UK economy.”

It was also found that the number of people aged 50 and above in the industry had increased massively over the decades.

UWRAP Ltd, a company known for manufacturing shrink wrapping machines and providing shrink wrap related services, say that the report also hints at the impact new technology and machines have had on the sector.

A representative said: “The fact that output has not only kept up but actually surpassed figures from decades ago, at the same time as the number of workers has fallen, is a real testament to the importance of machines in the modern age. Engineering advancements have meant that the sector has been able to produce better goods in greater quality with less man power.

“But what people don’t take notice of is the age of workers. It’s now much easier to work in a manufacturing environment later in life because most heavy lifting is automated and a lot of manual labour tasks can be done with specialist equipment, like our shrink wrapping machine, resulting in a rise in the number of older, highly skilled individuals in the workplace.”

UWrap Ltd sell, revamp, repair and hire shrink wrap machines. They operate throughout the United Kingdom and are known for their rapid response time and low prices. Visit their site today at www.uwrapmachines.co.uk to find out more.