The UK economy grew by 0.7% in the third quarter of 2026, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures published today (Thursday 12 November 2026), and manufacturing was the only part of the production sector that grew. Here’s what the numbers say, and what they mean if you make things or buy steel parts.
What the ONS figures show
- GDP up 0.7% in Q3 (July to September), following 0.5% growth in Q2. The ONS puts GDP 1.9% higher than the same quarter a year ago.
- Manufacturing up 0.9% in the three months to September, with 8 of the 13 manufacturing subsectors growing. On the month, manufacturing grew 0.7% in September, the same as August.
- Machinery and equipment up 3.0% over the three months, one of the biggest contributors alongside computer, electronic and optical products (up 4.6%) and pharmaceuticals (up 2.1%).
- Basic metals and metal products down 0.7% over the three months, and down 2.1% in September alone.
- Construction fell 0.7% in the quarter, while services grew 0.9% and production as a whole grew just 0.1%.
The ONS also points to strong car production in September, though it notes the year-on-year jump partly reflects production stoppages at a major carmaker a year earlier.
What it means for manufacturers and buyers of steel parts
- The people building machines are busy. Machinery and equipment output rising 3.0% matters for anyone in that supply chain. Machine builders need guards, brackets, panels, frames and folded covers, and they usually need them to a programme.
- Metals output is the weak spot. The metals and metal products figure slipping while wider manufacturing grows is a reminder that steel costs and capacity are still under pressure. If you buy fabricated or cut parts, it’s sensible to keep a reliable UK source lined up rather than chasing the cheapest quote each time.
- Construction is still soft. Firms that lean heavily on building work may find the factory and plant side more steady for now. Maintenance parts, replacement wear parts and machine components tend to keep coming whatever the building cycle is doing.
It’s one quarter of data, and the ONS revises these figures, so it’s a direction of travel rather than a forecast. It fits with the picture from the October flash PMI, where factory output was growing but costs were climbing.
UK-made in Shaw, Oldham
At Kaizen Engineering we laser cut, fold and fabricate made-to-order steel parts at our works in Shaw, Oldham, from one-offs to repeat batches, including machine guards, brackets, covers and Hardox wear parts. We offer same-day quotes and same-day laser cutting. See our laser cutting, press braking and steel fabrication services.
Send us your drawing
Email your drawing to sales@kaizen-eng.com with the material, thickness and quantity, or use our request a quote page, and we’ll come back with a quote the same day.
Kaizen Engineering, Thomas Street, Shaw, Oldham OL2 8PG
Made Up North. Built to Last.
Sources
- Office for National Statistics, “GDP first quarterly estimate, UK: July to September 2026”, 12 November 2026: ons.gov.uk
- Office for National Statistics, “GDP monthly estimate, UK: September 2026”, 12 November 2026: ons.gov.uk
