UK Manufacturing PMI September 2026: 11 Months of Growth and Rising Fuel Costs
The UK manufacturing PMI stayed in growth for an eleventh month in September. Here is what the survey shows about orders, jobs and costs on the factory floor.
There is a lot of doom about UK manufacturing online, and some of it is fair. But the latest manufacturing PMI tells a slightly different story. Factories have now been growing for eleven months in a row, with new orders coming in from home and abroad. The catch, as usual, is costs.
What the Manufacturing PMI Showed
The S&P Global UK manufacturing PMI came in at 51.9 in September 2026, up from 51.7 in August and close to the early flash estimate of 52.0 (Trading Economics). Any reading above 50 means the sector is growing.
That makes eleven straight months of expansion, although growth eased slightly towards the end of the quarter.
Orders From Home and Abroad
New orders rose for the tenth month in a row, with gains in both domestic and export markets. Factories increased production to keep up, although the pace of output growth slowed a little.
Nearly half of manufacturers said they expect output to rise over the next year, which is a reasonable level of confidence given everything else going on.
Factory Jobs: Small Gains
The flash survey for September reported that factory employment rose for a sixth straight month. That is a modest rise, but it is a rise. It sits a little awkwardly next to Make UK’s more cautious forecast, which expects manufacturing employment to fall over 2026 and 2027.
The two can both be true. Some firms are hiring to keep up with orders, while others are trimming headcount or not replacing people who leave. Where you work, and what you do, makes a big difference.
Fuel and Transport Costs Are Biting
The main worry in the survey was costs. Supply chain pressure and longer delivery times pushed up purchasing prices and transport costs, linked to higher diesel prices. Input price inflation sped up, driven mainly by fuel.
For manufacturers that already run on tight margins, this is a real squeeze. It is one reason many are cautious about adding staff even with more orders on the books.
What It Means for Manufacturing Workers
A growing sector is good news for anyone in UK manufacturing, but it is not an open door. Employers want people who can keep lines running and help them do more with the same resources. Maintenance engineers, multi-skilled technicians, CNC setters and programmers, and people with lean or continuous improvement experience are in a strong position.
You can browse current roles on our vacancies page or learn more about the sector on our manufacturing jobs hub. If you are new to the industry, our manufacturing careers guides explain the routes in.
Manufacturing PMI: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the manufacturing PMI?
The manufacturing PMI is a monthly survey of purchasing managers at UK manufacturers, run by S&P Global. A reading above 50 means the sector is growing.
What was the UK manufacturing PMI in September 2026?
It was 51.9, up from 51.7 in August. It was the eleventh month in a row of growth.
Are UK factories hiring?
The September flash survey showed factory employment rising for a sixth month, though Make UK forecasts manufacturing employment to fall over 2026 and 2027.
Why are manufacturing costs rising?
Higher diesel prices, supply chain pressure and longer delivery times pushed up purchasing and transport costs in September.
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