The last quarter saw steady progress in the sector but with mixed data signals. Global conditions remain fluid. Focussing on resilience alone is not enough, news and reports we’ve been looking at suggest a shift from risk management to shaping opportunities. Less ‘buffering against disruption’, and more emphasis on creating better systems to come with the ‘new normal’. Tightening processes to cope with tariffs, inflation and geopolitical pressures while looking to refine and build key operational upgrades for logistics visibility, sourcing agility, supplier consolidation.
"Putting humans at the centre can improve your odds of transformation success by more than two and a half times."
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) July 2, 2025
(Transformation Leadership research report, Saïd Business School, U. Oxford & EY) pic.twitter.com/HbQVVk91vj
June UK Manufacturing PMI edges up to 47.7
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) July 8, 2025
— Optimism Rebounds: 46% expect growth in 12 months
— Lead Times Still Tight: 18th month of delays, but pace of lengthening slows.
— Cost Pressures Shift: Input inflation persists via labour, energy and shipping pic.twitter.com/NMLELDvCKE
Manufacturers with human-centric transformation approaches are 260% more likely to succeed than those leading with technology (University of Oxford research reveals).
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) July 10, 2025
Find out more ⇢ https://t.co/0HREYA3rO6
"Procurement professionals are the economy’s early warning system and this quarter; the alarms are blaring"
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) July 14, 2025
CIPS Q2 2025 Pulse Survey show geopolitical instability and tariff wars driving highest concerns since survey began
⇢ https://t.co/hLMfRkR7Xv
⇢ https://t.co/FAUgdPODBK
The likelihood of avoiding a critical moment in manufacturing transformations where leadership intervention determines success or failure is 4 in 100.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) July 16, 2025
Don't try and avoid them, navigate through them ⇢ https://t.co/0HREYA3rO6 pic.twitter.com/PggOHuD3XY
Dig into the full UK manufacturing sector outlook for Q2 in the latest S&P Quarterly Report.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) July 23, 2025
The downturn looks to be easing, as signals for optimism increase. Supply chains remain stretched, but are stable.
⇢ https://t.co/USOu33BM2F pic.twitter.com/kdIKyrbTkg
The likelihood of avoiding a critical moment in manufacturing transformations where leadership intervention determines success or failure is 4 in 100.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) July 28, 2025
Read how top companies overcome this challenge in our blog ⇢ https://t.co/0HREYA3rO6 pic.twitter.com/epw8R8DfOT
How to Think About Pricing in the Tariff Era (via HBR):
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) July 31, 2025
– Bundle Value to Defend Margins
– Small Pricing Moves create Big Profit (a 1% rise can have a +8% on profits (according to McKinsey)
– Tiered and targeted offers win.
⇢ https://t.co/lm5FEpkW5Q pic.twitter.com/9phYndLtC6
Six month high UK PMI of 48, but tariffs bite.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) August 4, 2025
Output Slides, But Slower: Production dips for 9th month.
Inventory Tightening: Firms keep trimming stocks and purchasing.
Cautious Optimism: Sentiment hits a 5‑month high.#b2b #PMI pic.twitter.com/hKhKynSK2Z
"Nearly half of the logistics companies in our survey are already adapting operations to the nearshoring trend"
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) August 8, 2025
More BCG research on how shipping and logistics are altering in the tariff-heavy world.
⇢ https://t.co/eLsqoMHBnm pic.twitter.com/Vsq82VsNtR
UK retail turning reverse logistics into a profit centre ⇢https://t.co/HalevZay3e
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) August 11, 2025
The opportunity is even greater in manufacturing. We help OEMs turn this into a win/win with clients as a product/equipment benefit.
Our aftermarket services ⇢ https://t.co/pHUR9qIVJI
Last week's UK economic figures show quarterly climb continuing.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) August 19, 2025
UK manufacturing added 0.3% output in Q2 (vs +1.1% in Q1).
A year-on-year rise of 1.0% for production, with continuity keeping supply demand flowing.
Full info: https://t.co/5sUgRFG0z6
While the UK and Europe are struggling with expensive energy supply, the loosening US regulations on nuclear are coming into effect.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) August 19, 2025
Google plan to tap into 500MW of capacity with a new advanced nuclear power plant to feed two giant data centres.
⇢ https://t.co/3jwe1cSAfD
Don't fall into the big digitisation trap (where projects often stall or are are an 'implementation fail').
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) August 26, 2025
Start automating in small effective ways for your operations.
Low cost micro-automations often trump big vision transformations.
⇢ https://t.co/X9AFbODhMI
Global waste is predicted to grow 73% by 2050 to 3.9 billion tonnes.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) September 1, 2025
Check the WRAP resources and reports to see how your operations can accelerate the circular economy through various sustainable methods and pathways ⇢ https://t.co/8j4v8e13jH pic.twitter.com/GXiupjkWaX
Navigate CBAM 2027, EPR reporting, Scope 3 compliance.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) September 2, 2025
Transform regulatory pressure into competitive advantage.
Read our in-depth article: Turning Sustainability into Supply Chain Strength ⇢ https://t.co/56lhJyiHTm
PMI dips slightly, upcoming budget is key to confidence.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) September 4, 2025
— Production Resilient: in spite of geopolitical uncertainty and US tariffs, contractions are only mild, business confidence is at 6-month high.
See graphic for more … pic.twitter.com/dVP4AMK1cu
£44.1Bn was invested in the manufacturing sector in 2024, with the UK moving back up to 11th largest manufacturing exporter in global rankings.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) September 8, 2025
More in ⇢ Make UK: UK Manufacturing. The Facts 2025. https://t.co/GZnwSQJcQn pic.twitter.com/pAAjQ70Tzu
Following from our newest article on Turning Sustainability into Supply Chain Strength
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) September 12, 2025
https://t.co/56lhJyiHTm – Capgemini's latest report focusses on this key topic with Building Sustainable Value Chains ⇢ https://t.co/eMtJAKHgVG (pdf) pic.twitter.com/d5rYfZny1E
Manufacturing output balance for Q3: up a remarkable 25% (the best since 2021).
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) September 15, 2025
UK orders rise by 12% (expected to be up 25% in next 3 months), and export orders by 23%. Domestic and international sales are increasing.
More in Manufacturing Outlook Q3 ⇢ https://t.co/SjRCvq2Zux pic.twitter.com/JswFsLrG3q
88% of CEOs say the case for sustainability is stronger than 5 years ago.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) September 19, 2025
This 2025 UN report goes into foundational detail ⇢ https://t.co/zOmR6BUena pic.twitter.com/V6EvsvbAHz
A month of supply chain chaos at Jaguar Land Rover due to a cyber attack-induced production halt. ⇢ https://t.co/H5UWkb6ZVN
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) September 24, 2025
Make sure you are planning for resilience against cyber threats
Acorn helps OEMs regain control with buffer stock & secure fulfilment.
Actions informing US Manufacturing for 2025:
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) September 29, 2025
#3: Reassess sourcing frameworks in light of tariff exposure, geopolitical uncertainty, and input cost volatility.
See More ⇢ https://t.co/Af8EI1j9zJ
