British manufacturing is experiencing a renaissance, especially in precision engineering for the medical and veterinary sectors. The UK is now the world’s 8th largest manufacturing economy, with the sector contributing £224 billion in GVA and providing 2.6 million jobs.
Companies like Kirkstall Precision Engineering, a Leeds-based firm that has grown from a small family business into a leading supplier for global household names in the medical and veterinary fields, exemplify this success. What’s driving this thriving sector? Below we explore five key reasons behind the boom in UK precision engineering for healthcare and animal care.
- Strong Government support and Industrial strategy
The UK government has made manufacturing a strategic priority, creating a supportive environment for precision engineering firms. A clear example is the inaugural Medical Technology Strategy unveiled in 2023, which explicitly aims to “support a thriving UK medtech sector”.
This strategy, aligned with the broader Life Sciences Vision, focuses on strengthening domestic supply resilience, encouraging innovation, and building infrastructure for growth. In addition, government-backed initiatives like the Advanced Manufacturing Plan and Made Smarter are channeling billions into clean growth and digitalisation.
In 2023, policy wins included a £4.5 billion boost for advanced manufacturing and making the “full expensing” tax break on plant and machinery permanent, spurring companies to invest in new equipment. Such pro-manufacturing policies, combined with targeted support for key sectors, have created fertile ground for UK precision engineering firms to expand and innovate.
The commitment to industry is nationwide and long-term. Manufacturing is recognised as the “engine” of the UK economy, and the government (along with trade bodies like Make UK) is pushing for a robust industrial strategy that uplifts both regional and national manufacturing.
From simplifying post-Brexit regulations (e.g. indefinite recognition of CE marking) to funding specialised expos like Medical Technology UK, public policy is firmly on the side of manufacturers. This strong backing gives British precision engineering companies confidence to invest, knowing that innovation and expansion efforts are supported at the highest levels.
- Cutting-edge technology and innovation adoption
British manufacturers are adopting advanced technologies, from collaborative robotics to digital twins, which boosts productivity and precision.
UK precision engineering thrives on technological innovation. Companies are embracing Industry 4.0 tools such as automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and additive manufacturing to stay at the cutting edge. As we head into 2025, the precision engineering sector is being “driven by advancements in automation, AI, and sustainability,” with smart factories, predictive maintenance, and even digital twin simulations becoming the norm.
This tech-driven efficiency is yielding tangible results. In fact, between 2018 and 2023 the average value added by a UK manufacturing worker jumped by $14,000 – the highest productivity gain of any major economy. By deploying state-of-the-art CNC machines, robotics, and data analytics, UK firms can produce complex medical components with greater speed, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness than ever before.
The numbers tell the story of this high-tech transformation. Sales of industrial robots in the UK hit a record peak in 2023 with 3,083 units installed – a 51% year-on-year increase. Tax incentives like the “super deduction” (which allowed extra tax relief on equipment investments) spurred many manufacturers to automate processes, and even with that scheme elapsed, a majority of firms plan to continue investing in robotics over the next two years.
Technologies such as 3D printing are also being leveraged for rapid prototyping of medical implants and custom veterinary devices. Crucially, this tech adoption isn’t just about shiny new machines – it leads to higher quality and consistency. Automation minimizes human error and variability, which is vital when producing surgical instruments or implants where “every detail matters” for patient safety (as Kirkstall’s CEO has noted). By harnessing innovation, British precision engineers are enhancing their global competitiveness and reputation for excellence.
- Skilled workforce and a revitalised talent pipeline
Any industry is only as strong as its people, and British precision manufacturing benefits from a highly skilled workforce. Engineering firms are actively investing in talent development to address skills gaps and ensure a steady pipeline of expertise. The need is well documented – as many as 85% of UK engineering firms report that the skills gap remains a challenge.
In response, companies like Kirkstall Precision have doubled down on training, going so far as to establish an in-house Apprentice Academy and take on numerous apprentices to “maintain their talent pipeline”.
This focus on apprenticeships is bearing fruit across the sector. After a dip in the late 2010s, engineering apprenticeship starts are rebounding, and Higher Apprenticeships in engineering have grown in recent years. The government has bolstered this effort with funding support – for example, allocating £50 million for apprenticeships in engineering and other key growth sectors over 2024–2026.
The commitment to skills goes beyond entry-level training. Manufacturers are up-skilling existing staff in advanced machining, quality assurance, and regulatory knowledge (such as ISO 13485 medical device standards). Partnerships with universities and initiatives like the Leeds Manufacturing Festival are helping to inspire the next generation of engineers.
The result is a workforce capable of tackling the most demanding precision tasks. Employees are becoming adept in both traditional craftsmanship and digital techniques – a powerful combination. As Kirkstall’s team demonstrates, having “the right mix of people and technology” ensures that whatever they manufacture meets the highest standards. This culture of continuous learning and professional development is a key reason the UK sector can sustain growth: it has the human capital needed to fuel innovation and maintain quality as demand rises.
- Growing healthcare and veterinary market demand
Booming market demand – both domestically and globally – underpins the success of Britain’s medical and veterinary manufacturers. On the human health side, an aging population and post-pandemic recovery have led to surging needs for medical devices and equipment. The National Health Service (NHS) alone spends an estimated £10 billion each year on medtech products (from implants and prosthetics to surgical tools and diagnostic devices.
After the COVID-19 disruptions, hospitals are catching up on backlogged surgeries and procedures, which in turn has increased orders for precision-engineered instruments. In 2022, as elective surgeries resumed, firms like Kirkstall Precision “experienced a positive effect in the growth in sales orders” thanks to pent-up demand as the economy reopened.
This trend continues as healthcare providers seek innovative technologies (for example, minimally invasive surgical tools or personalized implants) to improve patient outcomes, creating a robust pipeline of work for UK manufacturers.
The veterinary sector is also flourishing, contributing to the overall demand. Pet ownership in Britain spiked during the pandemic, and pet owners today are investing more in advanced care for their animals.
This has driven up demand for veterinary surgical instruments, orthopaedic implants for pets, and other vet tech. Industry data show that income from veterinary services in the UK rose by 24.8% from £5.04 billion in 2021 to £6.29 billion in 2022, and then by another 6.5% in 2023 to reach £6.73 billion.
That equates to an average 15.7% annual growth since 2021, a remarkable surge fueled by the small animal care boom. All those new veterinary clinics and treatments require high-quality instruments and devices, many of which are being supplied by British precision engineers applying medical-grade standards to animal care.
Kirkstall Precision, for instance, produces veterinary surgical implants to the same rigorous ISO 13485 quality standards used for human devices. In short, thriving end markets – from NHS hospitals to veterinary practices – are continuously pulling products through the manufacturing pipeline, keeping order books full.
- Export opportunities and global reputation for quality
The strength of UK precision manufacturing is not confined to home shores – it’s increasingly a global story. British companies have built a stellar reputation for quality and innovation, which is opening doors to export markets and international partnerships. The UK’s medical technology sector comprises over 4,000 businesses (more than 85% of them SMEs) and exports more than £5 billion in products each year. In fact, UK medtech exports hit £10.1 billion in 2023, a 5% increase from the previous year.
This growth reflects worldwide demand for British-engineered devices, from imaging equipment to surgical tools, known for their precision and compliance with strict regulatory standards. Key export destinations include Europe, the US, and fast-growing markets in Asia. To further capitalise on these opportunities, industry leaders (such as the Association of British HealthTech Industries) are calling for a dedicated HealthTech Export Campaign to help even more UK firms expand abroad.
Success in export markets often starts with excellence at home. British precision engineers adhere to internationally recognized benchmarks – for example, many hold ISO 13485 certifications (medical device quality management) which give overseas clients confidence in their processes.
Additionally, the high level of innovation (the UK is a leader in medtech R&D and patent filings) means UK companies often offer unique solutions that stand out globally. Businesses like Kirkstall Precision have leveraged these strengths to become true export champions. Kirkstall transformed itself into “a leading supplier for global household names” across the medical and veterinary sectors by investing in modern systems and aiming for world-class standards.
Its journey from a small family firm to an exporter underscores how SMEs drive the industry’s growth – in the UK, 95% of medical manufacturing companies are dynamic SMEs pushing the envelope and challenging the status quo. Backed by trade support and a reputation for reliability, many of these firms are securing contracts worldwide, from supplying specialist components for medical OEMs in Europe to serving veterinary product distributors in North America. This expanding international footprint not only boosts the UK’s export figures but also reinforces a virtuous cycle: global success brings revenue that can be reinvested into UK facilities, new hires, and further innovation.
Conclusion
Britain’s precision engineering sector in medical and veterinary manufacturing is riding a wave of momentum. With solid government support, cutting-edge technology, skilled people, strong market demand, and growing global reach, the industry is positioned for continued growth. Notably, it combines the best of both worlds – agile, innovative SMEs (like Kirkstall Precision) and an ecosystem of support from policy to research – which together fuel a competitive advantage.
The optimism in the sector is well-founded: UK manufacturers are not only meeting today’s healthcare and veterinary needs but are also innovating for tomorrow’s challenges. By continuing to invest in quality and innovation, the British precision engineering community is ensuring that it will remain a thriving force, improving human and animal lives at home and abroad for years to come.
Sources: British government and industry reports, trade publications, and company case studies. The UK Medical Technology Strategy and Make UK insights provided data on sector growth and policy support. Industry interviews and news from Kirkstall Precision illustrated on-the-ground trends in skills and innovation. Market research and trade data were used to highlight increases in demand and exports, underscoring the sector’s current vitality and future prospects.