Rob Dobson Highlights Positive Outlook for UK Manufacturing in 2026

Rob Dobson, Chief Intelligence Officer at S&P Global Market Intelligence, has expressed optimism about the UK manufacturing sector's performance in 2026. According to Jin10, February saw the highest production increase in 17 months, continuing the robust recovery from January. This growth is largely attributed to a rise in domestic and international new business orders. New export business reached a four-and-a-half-year high, driven by improved customer confidence in markets such as North America, the EU, and the Middle East, leading to new contract signings. The outlook remains positive, with manufacturers maintaining business optimism close to January's recent high. Nearly 60% of companies anticipate expanding production in the coming year. Factors such as new product launches, enhanced customer confidence, and planned investments are expected to support growth next year. These developments may offset some cautious sentiment stemming from recent government policy changes and geopolitical uncertainties, particularly concerning U.S. tariffs.