Mayor calls for West Midlands to lead Britain’s new industrial age and backs companies to scale local manufacturing

The Mayor of the West Midlands today announced the West Midlands Industrialisation Blueprint, setting out how the region will turn research and innovation into businesses that scale and manufacture locally.

The Blueprint is supported by a series of investments and initiatives that will help manufacturers bring new technologies into production.

At the West Midlands Growth Summit, Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, positioned the region as uniquely placed to lead the UK’s new phase of industrial growth.

Home to around 273,000 manufacturing jobs and £22 billion in annual manufacturing output, the region has one of Britain’s deepest and most diverse industrial economies. It is the only UK region with recognised strengths across all eight sectors of the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy.

Britain’s first industrial age started here. If Britain is serious about building the next one, this is where it should start.

 

Why shouldn’t the next great global manufacturing company start in Tipton, scale in Coventry, and go global from Birmingham?

– Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands

He pointed to Coventry, where the summit was held, as evidence that this next industrial age is already beginning.

He highlighted Lawton Tubes, whose specialist copper pipes are used to deliver oxygen to hospital patients; Aurrigo, which develops and manufactures autonomous vehicle technology for airports worldwide; and Maeving, a Coventry-based electric motorcycle manufacturer. These companies demonstrate how the West Midlands’ existing manufacturing expertise and R&D capabilities help businesses to grow, innovate and export.

Building on the West Midlands Growth Plan launched in 2025, the West Midlands Reindustrialisation Blueprint identifies seven key markets where the region’s high-growth clusters can create new industrial opportunities.

It also sets out five priorities to improve productivity and competitiveness, and calls for a new partnership with Government to better align investment, procurement, skills and innovation funding with the needs of businesses and investors.

The Mayor and Business Secretary announced a series of measures to put the Reindustrialisation Blueprint into action, helping businesses reduce costs, access skilled talent and accelerate innovation. These include:

• A further £18.4 million for the Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS), giving more businesses access to support to reduce energy costs, improve efficiency and boost productivity. The programme has already supported more than 3,600 businesses, helping them become more competitive while reducing carbon emissions.
• A new West Midlands Talent Transition Pilot, helping growing SMEs access valuable industrial skills and expertise. Part of the Mayor’s £500,000 support package for workers affected by changes at JLR, the pilot will support retraining and redeployment, retaining experienced workers within the regional economy and connecting them with businesses looking to grow.
• A new Battery Manufacturing Taskforce, bringing together manufacturers, research institutions and skills providers to strengthen collaboration, accelerate innovation and support the growth of the region’s battery technology industry. The initiative will help position the West Midlands as one of Europe’s leading battery technology clusters, creating new opportunities for businesses and investors.

Alongside Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, the Mayor also unveiled a series of investments and initiatives designed to turn that ambition into action. The announcements include more than £13 million of combined public and private investment through DRIVE35, supporting Longbow Motors, Birmingham manufacturer Brandauer and PAB Coventry.

Further initiatives include a new Battery Manufacturing Taskforce, a Talent Transition Pilot and an additional £18.4 million for the Business Energy Advice Service.

The West Midlands is at the forefront of our mission to reindustrialise, and this plan shows why. Through our Modern Industrial Strategy, we’re supporting our manufacturing heartlands like the West Midlands, backing local leaders to create jobs and prosperity.

– Jonathan Reynolds, Business Secretary

The economic prize comes when you can take an idea, build a company around it, scale it and make it here. This is the region best placed to do exactly that

– Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands