Rising Orders, Renewed Confidence: Why UK Manufacturing’s Early-2026 Momentum Is Reaching the Finishing Process

After a prolonged period of caution, the UK manufacturing sector has entered 2026 with a renewed sense of momentum. Rising output, accelerating new orders and improving business confidence are beginning to translate into more positive conversations across the supply chain — including among specialist finishing and component preparation providers.

January’s data from S&P Global showed the UK Manufacturing PMI climbing to a 17-month high of 51.8, marking a third consecutive month of expansion. Output rose for the fourth month running, while new orders increased at their fastest pace in almost four years, supported by stronger export demand and customer restocking.

For Midland Deburr & Finish, the improved outlook is being reflected directly in customer behaviour. The Midlands-based specialist, which supports presswork customers across aerospace, automotive and industrial manufacturing, is seeing greater confidence in forward planning and programme continuity.

Managing Director Chris Arrowsmith says the change in tone has been noticeable.

“We’re having very different conversations with our pressings customers compared to this time last year,” Arrowsmith explains. “There’s more certainty around volumes, more willingness to commit to programmes, and a general sense that activity is moving in the right direction.”

The PMI data suggests that growth in January was driven primarily by large manufacturers, while many SMEs continue to operate cautiously. However, for finishing specialists working closely with presswork and stamping customers, even incremental improvements in output and order stability can have a meaningful impact.

Midland Deburr’s work spans metal deburring, component cleaning and a range of degreasing processes, including aerospace component degreasing, automotive component degreasing and metal stamping degreasing. These services sit at a critical junction in the manufacturing process, ensuring parts are production-ready, compliant and fit for assembly.

“When customers feel confident enough to increase output, finishing operations have to respond seamlessly,” says Arrowsmith. “Whether it’s metal stamping deburring or precision component cleaning, reliability becomes even more important as volumes rise.”

Export growth is also beginning to filter through the supply chain. January marked the first increase in new export orders in four years, with manufacturers reporting stronger demand from Europe, the US and China. That international exposure places additional emphasis on consistency and quality assurance in finishing processes.

“As export volumes pick up, customers need absolute confidence that every batch meets specification, especially in regulated sectors like aerospace.”

Business optimism across the sector has risen to its highest level since before the 2024 Autumn Budget, with 58% of manufacturers expecting output to increase over the next 12 months.

While challenges remain — including cost pressures, geopolitical uncertainty and stretched supply chains — the direction of travel is encouraging. For Midland Deburr, the focus now is on supporting customers as activity builds, without compromising quality or turnaround times.

“Optimism is welcome, but it has to be backed up by execution,” Arrowsmith concludes. “Our role is to help customers turn improving order books into delivered parts — clean, compliant and ready for production.”

As UK manufacturing continues its tentative recovery, it is often the quieter stages of the process — deburring, cleaning and finishing — that ensure renewed confidence can be sustained.