Midland Deburr & Finish Calls for 26 November Budget to “Lift, Support and Fund UK Manufacturing”
Lye-based finishing specialist urges Government to back British industry with targeted investment and supply-chain support
As the UK manufacturing sector braces for the 26 November Budget, Midland Deburr & Finish Managing Director Chris Arrowsmith has called for decisive government action to ensure British industry can compete, grow, and maintain sovereign capability in an increasingly challenging global environment.
Speaking from the company’s Lye headquarters—where the business delivers specialist vibratory deburring, solvent degreasing and vapour degreasing services—Arrowsmith set out a clear message for policymakers:
“This Budget must be one that lifts the manufacturing sector, supports it, and funds it. If we want a resilient British supply chain, government has to back the businesses that keep it running.”
His comments follow the latest ONS Regional Manufacturing Outlook, which confirmed the West Midlands as the third largest manufacturing region in the country, generating almost 14% of its regional output from manufacturing—significantly above the national average of 9.1%.
With 279,000 people employed in the sector and thousands of new jobs created in the last year alone, Arrowsmith said the industry had “proved its resilience”, but warned that resilience alone is not enough.
Arrowsmith believes November’s Budget is a critical moment for the sector.
“From automotive to aerospace, the UK’s industrial capability is world class. But world-class industries need world-class support. We’re calling for strategic investment—support for SMEs, incentives for reshoring, and funding for the processes that make advanced manufacturing possible.”
He pointed out that precision finishing processes—such as deburring and degreasing—play an underrated but absolutely essential role in ensuring British-made components reach global markets in perfect condition.
“Without proper metal finishing, components simply do not meet the performance, safety, or cleanliness standards expected by major OEMs,” he said. “If Britain wants to continue exporting globally, government must recognise and support the finishing and treatment specialists who sit at the heart of the supply chain.”
Midland Deburr & Finish supports customers across automotive, aerospace, defence, energy and precision engineering—removing burrs, contamination and residues through vibratory deburring, vapour degreasing and solvent degreasing.
These are the processes that ensure British-made parts can be coated, assembled, bonded, or shipped without risk of failure—yet they are often overlooked in high-level policy discussions about industrial support.
“This Budget must acknowledge the full manufacturing ecosystem—from machining houses to heat treatment specialists to finishing experts like us. We’re all part of the same chain, and if one link is underfunded, the whole chain weakens.”
He says targeted funding should include:
* Capital allowances for new machinery and cleaner finishing technologies
* R&D support for surface finishing innovation
* Energy cost relief for intensive processes such as metal degreasing
* Skills investment for vocational training in engineering and finishing
* Supply-chain incentives encouraging OEMs to “buy British”
The company has seen a surge in components arriving for vibratory deburring, degreasing and cleaning—from tiny machined parts to heavy castings over a metre long.
This, Arrowsmith says, is a sign of both pressure and opportunity.
“UK manufacturers are pushing for higher standards and faster turnaround. We can meet that demand—but we need a policy environment that champions local capability rather than relying on overseas providers.”
He believes the West Midlands in particular is primed for growth.
“The region has engineering in its DNA,” he said. “If the Government truly wants to drive productivity, secure jobs and boost exports, backing the West Midlands is the smartest investment it can make.”
Despite global instability, the ONS data shows the West Midlands manufacturing sector has returned to pre-pandemic output levels, with strong investment sentiment across transport equipment, metal products and machinery—industries that rely heavily on high-quality surface finishing.
Arrowsmith says now is the time to accelerate.
“British manufacturers are ready to grow. The Budget must give them the confidence to invest, innovate and compete. With the right support, UK industry will not only hold its own—we will lead.”
As the UK manufacturing sector braces for the 26 November Budget, Midland Deburr & Finish Managing Director Chris Arrowsmith has called for decisive government action to ensure British industry can compete, grow, and maintain sovereign capability in an increasingly challenging global environment.
Speaking from the company’s Lye headquarters—where the business delivers specialist vibratory deburring, solvent degreasing and vapour degreasing services—Arrowsmith set out a clear message for policymakers:
“This Budget must be one that lifts the manufacturing sector, supports it, and funds it. If we want a resilient British supply chain, government has to back the businesses that keep it running.”
His comments follow the latest ONS Regional Manufacturing Outlook, which confirmed the West Midlands as the third largest manufacturing region in the country, generating almost 14% of its regional output from manufacturing—significantly above the national average of 9.1%.
With 279,000 people employed in the sector and thousands of new jobs created in the last year alone, Arrowsmith said the industry had “proved its resilience”, but warned that resilience alone is not enough.
Arrowsmith believes November’s Budget is a critical moment for the sector.
“From automotive to aerospace, the UK’s industrial capability is world class. But world-class industries need world-class support. We’re calling for strategic investment—support for SMEs, incentives for reshoring, and funding for the processes that make advanced manufacturing possible.”
He pointed out that precision finishing processes—such as deburring and degreasing—play an underrated but absolutely essential role in ensuring British-made components reach global markets in perfect condition.
“Without proper metal finishing, components simply do not meet the performance, safety, or cleanliness standards expected by major OEMs,” he said. “If Britain wants to continue exporting globally, government must recognise and support the finishing and treatment specialists who sit at the heart of the supply chain.”
Midland Deburr & Finish supports customers across automotive, aerospace, defence, energy and precision engineering—removing burrs, contamination and residues through vibratory deburring, vapour degreasing and solvent degreasing.
These are the processes that ensure British-made parts can be coated, assembled, bonded, or shipped without risk of failure—yet they are often overlooked in high-level policy discussions about industrial support.
“This Budget must acknowledge the full manufacturing ecosystem—from machining houses to heat treatment specialists to finishing experts like us. We’re all part of the same chain, and if one link is underfunded, the whole chain weakens.”
He says targeted funding should include:
* Capital allowances for new machinery and cleaner finishing technologies
* R&D support for surface finishing innovation
* Energy cost relief for intensive processes such as metal degreasing
* Skills investment for vocational training in engineering and finishing
* Supply-chain incentives encouraging OEMs to “buy British”
The company has seen a surge in components arriving for vibratory deburring, degreasing and cleaning—from tiny machined parts to heavy castings over a metre long.
This, Arrowsmith says, is a sign of both pressure and opportunity.
“UK manufacturers are pushing for higher standards and faster turnaround. We can meet that demand—but we need a policy environment that champions local capability rather than relying on overseas providers.”
He believes the West Midlands in particular is primed for growth.
“The region has engineering in its DNA,” he said. “If the Government truly wants to drive productivity, secure jobs and boost exports, backing the West Midlands is the smartest investment it can make.”
Despite global instability, the ONS data shows the West Midlands manufacturing sector has returned to pre-pandemic output levels, with strong investment sentiment across transport equipment, metal products and machinery—industries that rely heavily on high-quality surface finishing.
Arrowsmith says now is the time to accelerate.
“British manufacturers are ready to grow. The Budget must give them the confidence to invest, innovate and compete. With the right support, UK industry will not only hold its own—we will lead.”
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