New research data shows that increased marketing is among the top priorities for growing UK manufacturers in 2026.

Marketing sits alongside new product launches, cost reduction, and investment in AI, according to a survey of Make UK members

The findings were presented by Make UK Regional Director Chris Corkan this week at the East Midlands Manufacturing and Trade Conference at Loughborough University.

The data draws on an annual executive survey of more than 22,000 manufacturers across the country.

1284 Communications was an exhibitor at the conference, and Managing Director George Oliver, who is also a non-executive director at East Midlands Chamber, said: “Make UK’s data reflects what we hear consistently from manufacturing SMEs across the East Midlands - that the companies doing the most innovative work are frequently the least visible to the customers, investors, and markets that matter most.”

Manufacturers were asked by Make UK to identify their biggest opportunities for 2026. The top responses were:

• 55% are looking to expand their product and service portfolios in response to customer demand
• 42% will be working to export into new markets
• 37% plan to enter entirely new sectors - with defence identified as the fastest-growing opportunity
• 36% will be leveraging digital technologies, cloud and AI

However, when the same manufacturers named growth strategies for the year, increased marketing came out first.

It suggests that - at a time when 65% of manufacturers expect employment costs to rise significantly - the sector is investing in marketing communications, not cutting it.

The trend may be explained in part by manufacturers entering defence for the first time, meaning the need to approach buyers who have never heard of them. Elsewhere, those looking to export are competing against established local suppliers. And those diversifying their product range need to explain new capabilities to existing customers.

Without a clear narrative and consistent media presence, that commercial opportunity stalls. Therefore there is value in digital and other marketing as a method of ensuring that clients and investors are seeing the stories and messages that the companies want to be presented.

This is the common need in the sector that 1284's marketing communications work for manufacturing and technology SMEs is focused upon. 

Why? The gap between capability and reputation is costing businesses contracts, partnerships, and talent. These case studies show the potential opportunity of marcomms in manufacturing.

There are several ways to address the opportunity: 

• Media coverage in regional and trade press.
• Thought leadership that reaches decision-makers.
• Searchable messaging that works for investors, procurement teams, and policymakers.

The Make UK data confirms the sector understands this. Growth in 2026 requires being known, not just being good.