STOKE MANUFACTURING POWERHOUSE
Revenue does not tell the whole story
The report found that high revenue did not always translate into strong margins.
Northern Ireland recorded the highest average revenue of any UK region at £ 657,163.80 but retained 25p from every pound, the lowest profit margin nationally.
The North West generated the third-highest average revenue at £ 635,486.97 but retained 28p per pound.
Unleashed said:“ The figures suggest that without tight operational control, revenue growth masks profitability problems.”
The North East, meanwhile, recorded an average profit margin of 34 % during the first quarter of 2026, close to the national average.
However, its margin had moved between 30 % and 44 % during the previous three years, the widest range of any region.
Unleashed said this volatility indicated operational inconsistency that manufacturers and investors should monitor.
By contrast, the West Midlands’ position reflected its combination of a 36 % profit margin and supplier lead times below 20 days.
Turning potential into progress
The two elements of the Unleashed report offer different perspectives on manufacturing.
Its regional index examines the current operational performance of SME manufacturers, while the emerging cities table assesses the factors that could support future growth.
For Stoke-on-Trent, the city ranking provides national recognition of its existing manufacturing community, workforce, industrial space and digital connectivity.
The regional findings also place the wider West Midlands third in the UK, with above-average profitability and the country’ s fastest supplier lead times.
The challenge identified by both Stuart Elford and Dr Gardner is to translate that potential into further economic progress.
Their responses emphasise investment in infrastructure, skills and innovation, alongside support for businesses seeking to adopt new technology and grow.
The Unleashed report has placed Stoke-on-Trent at the top of its national ranking. Attention will now turn to how the city builds on the strengths that took it there.
Region |
Average lead days |
Sales revenue(£) |
Profit margin( per £) |
Stock on hand value(£) |
Purchasing costs(£) |
Index score( out of 100) |
South East |
24.41 |
488,030.40 |
38 % |
143,122.19 |
|
490,852.19 |
70.31 |
Scotland |
22.49 |
395,228.69 |
35 % |
119,553.49 |
|
465,438.00 |
66.87 |
West Midlands |
19.52 |
410,997.59 |
36 % |
201,828.90 |
|
430,141.58 |
63.70 |
East Midlands |
26.98 |
486,401.20 |
35 % |
129,902.97 |
|
519,043.64 |
62.69 |
Wales |
29.73 |
272,805.25 |
34 % |
105,828.29 |
|
350,508.62 |
59.89 |
South West |
26.28 |
287,648.16 |
32 % |
112,219.66 |
|
375,731.81 |
58.26 |
Yorkshire and the Humber
23.11 654,987.32 31 % 163,280.36 647,005.94 58.19
London |
32.81 |
465,116.93 |
35 % |
124,957.29 |
545,008.47 |
55.20 |
East of England |
26.66 |
454,955.45 |
37 % |
192,015.49 |
576,144.11 |
54.06 |
North West |
24.75 |
635,486.97 |
28 % |
186,293.07 |
594,933.43 |
50.32 |
North East |
36.10 |
606,687.56 |
34 % |
168,530.75 |
726,928.93 |
43.38 |
Northern Ireland |
15.93 |
657,163.80 |
25 % |
254,425.34 |
690,197.36 |
41.95 |
National average |
25.73 |
484,625.78 |
33 % |
158,496.48 |
534,327.84 |
57.07 |
54 ISSUE 7