Steel and so much more

Yorkshire and Humber has built on its traditional industries of metal processing and textiles to remain one of the key manufacturing regions in the UK. The sector accounts for almost 18 per cent of the region's employment, against a national average of 14 per cent.

Robin Watson, regional director for the Yorkshire and Humber Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS), said: 'The region is traditionally a very strong manufacturing centre and it's still the most important sector to the local economy. What has changed is the decline of a number of traditional industries, particularly heavy steel, in south Yorkshire and to some extent in the north Humber region. In West Yorkshire there was a strong base of textiles, and that has changed too.'

According to regional development agency (RDA) Yorkshire Forward, the key clusters for the region are advanced engineering and metals, food and drink, environmental technology, healthcare, digital and new media. The engineering and metals cluster is flourishing, accounting for 35-40 per cent of the region's gross value added in manufacturing. Key local companies include Sheffield Forgemasters, Frith Rixson and Corus, whose Swinden Technology Centre is in Rotherham.