Electronics Industry

Since peaking in 2000 electronics output in the UK has declined sharply falling by an estimated 57% in the period to 2007, the country in comparison with many of its Western European counterparts, being badly affected by the migration of production to low cost countries. The industry is heavily orientated towards the production of professional electronic equipment, which accounted for 74% of the industry's output in 2007. The largest individual categories within this sector are communications, control and instrumentation and components. The computer segment accounted for 9.6% of the total in 2007, following a further significant decline in production during the year. Production peaked in 2000 and has declined year on year since with the trend expected to continue in 2008 and 2009, when computing will account for only 6.9% of overall output (2000: 31%), as stated in market research report Electronics Industry in U.K.

Communications – fixed and wireless – remains an important sector of the UK electronics industry. Communications and radar (inc defence), following a sharp fall in output between 2001 and 2003 when volume manufacturing was moved offshore has since stabilised and shown modest growth a trend which was expected to continue to the end of 2008. Output is forecast to decline by 7% in 2008 as demand falls in both domestic and global markets. The UK is also an important producer of radar and navigation equipment the sector accounting for 7.1% of total electronics output in 2007.

Nanotechnology

UK has the world’s first nanotechnology initiative, with a Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) National Nanotechnology Initiative (NION). The Micro and Nanotechnology (MNT) network is the main forum for nanotechnology funding in the UK. Key MNT areas are: Nanomaterials (e.g. nanoparticles, novel materials); Nanobiotechnology (e.g. pharmaceutical, medical); Nanometrology (e.g. characterization, standards); and Nanofabrication (e.g. silicon, glass, polymer, MEMs).