Mechanical Engineering

Machine-building is an area where British firms excel, especially in construction and earth-moving equipment, wheeled tractors, internal combustion engines, textile machinery, medical equipment, fork-lift trucks, pumps and compressors. Britain is one of the world's major producers of tractors, which account for around three-quarters of the output of agricultural equipment. It is the world's eighth largest producer of machine tools.

Electronics

Britain has the fourth largest electronics industry in the world. Products include computers, communications equipment and a large range of components.

As well as an extensive range of computer hardware systems and associated equipment, British firms devise computer applications software and are particularly strong in specialist markets, such as artificial intelligence, computer-aided design, mathematical software, geographical information systems and data visualisation. Major advances are being made by British firms and academic institutions in the field of 'virtual reality', a three-dimensional computer simulation technique with a host of industrial and other applications.

Motor Vehicles

Overseas-owned car companies are responsible for most car production in Britain. These, however, provide work for many indigenous component firms; this sector consists of nearly 4,000 companies.

Car production has recovered strongly following the recession. In 1994 nearly 1.5 million cars were manufactured, the highest number for 20 years – 619,000 cars were exported. Car output is dominated by Rover, Ford, Vauxhall, Peugeot-Talbot and three Japanese companies – Nissan, Toyota and Honda. The latter have invested heavily and introduced new management techniques and production methods.

Aerospace

Britain's aerospace industry is the third largest in the Western world. Sales amounted to Ј12,000 million in 1994 with exports contri­buting Ј7,500 million.

As the leading British exporter of manufactured goods, British Aerospace (BAe) produces both civil and military aircraft, as well as guided weapons and components. The company has a 20 per cent share in Airbus Industrie, which manufactures a family of

Airbus airliners for which BAe designs and supplies the wings. BAe is one of the world's top defence companies. Military aircraft include the vertical/short take-off and landing Harrier and the Hawk fast jet trainer. It is also a partner in multinational projects, including the Tornado combat aircraft and the Euro-fighter 2000, which had its maiden flight in 1994.

Among other manufacturers are Short Brothers of Belfast and Westland Helicopters. Over 1,()()() West-land helicopters are in service in 19 countries.

Rolls-Royce is one of the world's three prime manufacturers of aero-engines. Over 50,000 Rolls-Royce engines are in service with more than 300 airlines in over 100 countries. Its latest large engine, the Trent, powers the new generation of wide-body twin-engined airliners , such as the Boeing 777 and the Airbus A330.

Around one-third of the aerospace industry consists of aviation equipment. British firms have made significant technological advances in areas such as flight-deck controls and information displays, flight simulators and ejection seats. GEC-Marconi is the world's largest manufacturer of head-up displays.

The largest British space company is Matra Marconi Space UK which, with its French partner, is one of the world's leading space companies. The industry is strong in communications satellites and associated Earth stations and ground infrastructure equipment, and in the area of Earth observation.

Food and Drink

Britain has a large food and drink manufacturing industry, which has accounted for a growing proportion of total domestic food supply. Frozen and convenience foods, yoghurts, dairy desserts and instant snacks are some of the fastest-growing sectors of the food market. Soft drinks, with an annual turnover of Ј6,000 million, is (lie fastest growing sector of the grocery trade, and many innovative products are being introduced.

Scotch whisky is one of Britain's top export earners. There are 110 distilleries in Scotland.

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 995