Scottish Engineering’s Quarterly Review is a trends survey of the manufacturing engineering industry produced from information gathered from our member companies. It is distributed to all member companies, MSPs, MPs, MEPs, relevent government and university departments and the Press.
QR MARCH 2019 IS AVAILABLE NOW
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PRESS RELEASE:
Groundhog Day
In our first quarterly report of 2019, we start not as we would wish with an optimistic view forward, but instead trapped in the never-ending Brexit cycle where immediate clarity is desperately needed, but never actually expected. The gift that keeps on giving simply cannot be ignored, for as Brexit blunders on, the timeline to avert a cliff edge withdrawal is scarily close and therefore uncomfortably real.
Despite this, Scotland’s engineering sector has recorded strong orders, output and staffing, but concern remains that contingency planning, whilst understandable, is raising inventory across supply chains to offset the impact of a potential no deal Brexit. Capital and particularly training investment plans remain strong, and this is especially welcome as these investments can assist the additional competitveness companies may need in the very near future to remain viable.
Scottish Engineering’s Chief Executive Paul Sheerin stated:
“I have to admit that it’s hard for me to see how the current political pantomime will stop in time to let sense break out. It is however exactly what is needed and therefore we must once again hope for the best, whilst continuing to ready ourselves for all possible eventualities.”
NEXT QUARTERLY REVIEW IS JUNE 2019