Manchester is the UK's largest advanced manufacturing and engineering cluster, home to over 8,000 companies and over 115,000 employees. Named the most liveable city in the UK by the Economist's Global Liveability Index 2024, and one of the New York Times' 52 Places to Go in 2024, for US manufacturers weighing up where to expand in Europe, Greater Manchester's quality of life is a genuine advantage in attracting and retaining talent.
As the world's first industrial city, Manchester has attracted more international investment than any other UK regional city for the last decade. Home to the fastest-growing economy in the UK, the city has built its reputation on consistent delivery rather than just promises. Graphene was first isolated here, Rolls met Royce here, and today the city sits at the heart of the UK's largest aerospace and automotive clusters, with significant expertise in advanced materials, semiconductors, food and drink manufacturing and automotive. Companies such as AECOM, Cargill, Heinz, Kadant, Jacobs, Diodes Incorporated and Sherwin-Williams have already made Greater Manchester their home.
A World-Class Innovation Ecosystem
Manchester has invested heavily in the research and development infrastructure that manufacturers need, with world-leading facilities covering graphene research and commercialisation, robotics, automation, AI and Industry 4.0.
With 180 specialist advanced materials firms and cluster strengths in composites, textiles, surfaces and coatings, and light alloys, the city region has built one of the most established advanced materials ecosystems in Europe.
Ready to Move
Manchester has development sites ready for advanced manufacturing businesses that want to move quickly. Atom Valley is a 17 million square foot development zone with capacity to create 20,000 high-value jobs. At its heart sits the new Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre, which broke ground in late 2025 and will provide a hub for businesses to innovate and collaborate.
MIX Manchester, sitting directly adjacent to Manchester Airport, offers two million square feet of manufacturing, R&D, laboratory and office space. It is the only major science and manufacturing campus in the UK with direct access to an international airport, with direct flights to New York, Orlando, Atlanta and Las Vegas, an advantage for businesses operating across the Atlantic.
Talent and Cost
Over 115,000 people already work in Manchester's advanced manufacturing sector. The city's five universities generate the largest graduate pipeline of any UK regional city, with 14,000 STEM students feeding into a workforce with the highest retention rate outside London. Operating costs run up to 40% lower than the capital, and the region draws on a labour pool of 7.3 million people within an hour's reach.
The UK Advantage
For US businesses, the UK's tax environment adds another advantage, with corporation tax capped at 25%, the lowest rate in the G7. There is zero withholding tax on repatriated dividends, a reduced 19% tax rate for qualifying R&D activity, and a Patent Box regime offering up to 10% tax on profits from patented IP.
Connectivity
Manchester Airport connects to over 200 destinations, giving manufacturers based here outstanding global reach. That sits alongside exceptional rail and motorway access across the UK, making Manchester the most connected city outside London.
Invest Manchester is the city's dedicated inward investment agency, based in the city centre and at the heart of the action. With an unparalleled network across Manchester's business, academic and civic communities, the team guides companies through every stage of relocation and expansion.
To find out more about investing in Manchester, visit investmanchester.co.uk
