UK’s electrification charge signals massive re-shoring opportunity reveals new report
Digital manufacturing specialist Protolabs’ ‘In Charge’ survey of European battery industry chiefs reveals 84 percent of UK companies are looking to bring parts of their supply chain closer to their manufacturing base over the next year. The desire to localise supply chains has never been greater following the economic global disruption caused by the pandemic, with firms looking to increase security of supply and speed to market, along with reducing their carbon footprint.
Most UK respondents are also looking to outsource component production to specialist manufacturers, while 86 percent are planning on launching a new battery product or storage system during the next 12 months.
The findings coincide with Nissan’s plans to build the UK’s first car battery gigafactory, potentially creating further opportunities for domestic suppliers worth billions and leading to thousands of new jobs.
“With just six percent of battery manufacturing taking place in Europe, we are still heavily reliant on battery cell imports and, with demand for electric vehicles increasing rapidly, there is an understanding this has to change,” declares Bjoern Klaas, managing director of Protolabs Europe.
“The UK’s appetite to be at the forefront of the electrification race is clearly evident, but increasingly pleasing is the determination to create stronger domestic supply chains that can support battery development and production.”
In addition to the growing reshoring trend, the Protolabs’ survey’s respondents highlighted sustainability as the UK’s main differentiator when looking to challenge battery development and manufacture in the Far East and other international territories.
