Small business growth outlook in manufacturing sector hits two year high

Print Solutions

Hitachi Capital Business Finance has revealed that 44% of small businesses in the manufacturing sector predict growth for the period to 31 March.

This figure has risen from 39% at the end of last year to 44% this quarter and the figures show the most positive growth outlook since Q4 2018 (48%).

Gavin Wraith-Carter, managing director at Hitachi Capital Business Finance, said: ‘Last year small businesses had to adapt to a period of protracted Brexit uncertainty and the economic ripple it delivered to sectors across the UK. We start 2020 with far greater certainty and our research suggests small businesses have switched from staying afloat through cost cutting to a new era of planning for sales growth, investing in people and product diversification to boost bottom line growth. While 10% of business leaders are investing in training, the remaining 90% should be giving this serious thought, and what options that are available to businesses.

‘Our research also suggests that more small business owners recognise the need to adopt flexibility in their budgeting, whilst safeguarding their financial strength by building up their financial reserves. These factors point towards 2020 being a year when more small businesses will be looking for finance to help to realise their growth ambitions. We would encourage business owners to shop around, to look beyond the high street lenders and talk to specialists that can offer flexible solutions that are tailored to the needs of their business.’