Business Changes

For many businesses across the EU, the coming months are shrouded in uncertainty. With the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) set to come into force within days, the future of business communication remains unclear. This feeling of instability is especially prominent within the manufacturing sector, where recent reports highlight both growth and signs of slowing momentum.

In a Financial Times article, experts suggested that “the slowdown in UK manufacturing could be more prolonged than previously thought […] after a monthly industry survey pointed to the weakest output growth in two years.”

Conversely, the latest Epicor Global Growth Index, paints a more optimistic picture, showing a 3.7% increase in manufacturing business growth — even as half of manufacturers admit to facing significant challenges.

So, what lies ahead for the manufacturing industry?

There are several key factors influencing the road ahead. Brexit continues to affect the UK manufacturing landscape, creating both logistical and economic challenges. GDPR introduces new data protection obligations, transforming how manufacturers manage sales, marketing, and customer communications. And there’s growing pressure across the industry to adopt more sustainable practices, reducing waste and developing environmentally friendly solutions for clients.

Despite these challenges, there are also reasons for optimism. The rise of Industry 4.0 marks a transformative era for manufacturing, bringing with it advanced automation, data-driven insights, and smarter production processes. These innovations are set to reshape factories and streamline operations, improving efficiency and competitiveness across the board.

Our take?

Yes, these are challenging times. But with challenge comes opportunity. This period of change will prompt manufacturers to re-evaluate existing processes, adapt to new regulations, and explore creative, customer-centric solutions. We believe manufacturers will emerge from this phase more agile, innovative, and better equipped to meet evolving market demands — and that can only be a good thing.

What’s next for Sinclair & Rush?

Our focus right now is the launch of our brand-new website, which is just around the corner. We've invested time and care into creating a more intuitive, customer-focused platform that makes browsing products, tracking orders, and reordering simpler than ever. We're excited to share it with you soon — and we can’t wait to hear what you think!