This National Manufacturing Day, we’re celebrating the brilliant businesses that design, make and produce products right here in Cumbria – from traditional craftsmanship and food production to advanced technology and innovative sustainable materials.
Our spotlight series has showcased just how diverse Cumbrian manufacturing is. Tornado Wire in Millom has been manufacturing high-tensile steel wire fencing since 1982, while The Crewel Work Company in Appleby-in-Westmorland combines heritage embroidery with global reach, sending more than 10,000 kits around the world each year.
From Ennerdale Brewery in Rowrah, producing beers for customers across Cumbria and beyond, to Sealy UK in Aspatria, where specialist machinery produces millions of mattress springs every year, these businesses demonstrate the scale and expertise within the county’s manufacturing sector.
We’ve also highlighted the global reach of businesses such as Brannan, Abbeyhorn and Hawkshead Relish. Brannan has more than 113 years of manufacturing history, Abbeyhorn is the UK’s last remaining hornworks with more than 275 years of history, and Hawkshead Relish produces award-winning products by hand in the Lake District National Park, exporting to eight countries.
Innovation and sustainability have been another strong theme. Contour is creating bespoke campervan furniture in Kendal, Futamura in Wigton manufactures renewable and compostable cellulosic films, and Pure Lakes makes natural skincare and other products in small batches in its Lake District workshop.
We’ve seen the clever use of local materials too, from Chimney Sheep® turning Herdwick wool into chimney draught excluders to HOUT Design crafting bespoke furniture from locally sourced British hardwoods.
And some of Cumbria’s biggest manufacturing stories show how local businesses can have an impact far beyond the county. Kendamil is investing £40 million in its Kendal site, CCL Secure produces polymer banknote substrate in Wigton for use around the world, and Playdale Playgrounds exports its playground equipment to more than 50 countries.
BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness is another example of the scale and expertise within Cumbria’s manufacturing sector. The company designs, builds, tests and commissions some of the most advanced submarines operated by the Royal Navy. The Dreadnought class submarines currently being built in Barrow will be the largest ever built for the Royal Navy, with each containing more than 20,000 cables stretching over 347 kilometres. Alongside its advanced engineering, BAE Systems is also investing in the local community, with more than 5,000 hours of educational outreach delivered to around 20,000 young people in 2025.
Finally, Fulton Jewellery in Keswick brings traditional jewellery-making skills and modern technology together, creating fine jewellery entirely in-house and developing the next generation of skilled makers.
Together, these businesses show that Cumbrian manufacturing is diverse, innovative and ambitious – while remaining firmly rooted in its people, communities and local heritage.
This National Manufacturing Day, we’re proud to celebrate the businesses, people and skills that keep manufacturing thriving across Cumbria.
