A Guide to Business in Birmingham A Guide to Business in Birmingham | Page 5

A guide to business in Birmingham

Industry overview
Birmingham is the largest industrial market in the country,
with a thriving manufacturing and engineering centre employing
over 100,000 people.
Over a quarter of the UK’s skilled advanced engineering workers are located in the
city, with particular areas of engineering expertise including electromechanical, hydraulic,
pneumatic, electronic and electrical components. With access to five Universities and another
15 within an hour’s commute, the city is supplied with a steady stream of bright and skilled
engineering graduates.
A thriving culture for engineering research is driven primarily by The University of Birmingham,
Aston University’s Photonics Research & Consultancy and Warwick’s National Automotive
Innovation Campus. Following the decline of the manufacturing sector in the 1970s, Birmingham
has since diversified, building further capabilities in professional services, retailing and tourism.
Birmingham also has a thriving jewellery quarter, manufacturing 40% of all the jewellery made
in the UK (4).

This graph highlights Birmingham businesses sectors.

Source: birmingham.gov.uk/economy Local Economic Assessment

Commercial Property – Industrial Units, Office Space to Rent

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