Outsourcing A Strategic Solution to Rising Costs and Skills Gap

The UK’s manufacturing sector, a £270 billion industry providing 2.6 million jobs, faces mounting challenges, including soaring energy costs, rising employment expenses, and a growing skills gap. For many businesses, these pressures are compounded by the need to remain competitive while pursuing sustainability goals. As these burdens increase, outsourcing critical but resource-intensive processes such as metal degreasing and deburring is emerging as a strategic solution.

Chris Arrowsmith, Managing Director of Midland Deburr and Finish, believes outsourcing these specialised tasks can significantly benefit manufacturers. “By outsourcing processes like degreasing and deburring, companies are not only reducing their operational energy demands but also eliminating the need to hire and train additional staff for these time-intensive roles,” he explained.

Arrowsmith pointed to the increasing pressure on manufacturers to meet Net zero targets while simultaneously managing overheads. Many firms, he said, are grappling with the dual challenge of investing in sustainability initiatives and managing rising energy costs, which are at the top of the agenda for most companies. “Delegating these processes to a dedicated partner ensures that businesses can focus on their core operations while remaining compliant with environmental and quality standards,” he added.

The benefits of outsourcing extend beyond cost savings. As UK engineering firms compete on a global stage, with the nation’s ranking slipping from 8th to 12th globally, leveraging external expertise for specialised processes helps companies maintain high standards and efficiency. Outsourcing partners like Midland Deburr and Finish bring advanced technology, economies of scale, and years of expertise that in-house setups often cannot match.

Moreover, outsourcing addresses critical labor market issues. With over 60,000 job vacancies in the UK engineering sector and two and a half vacancies per 100 roles, recruitment challenges are significant. Arrowsmith highlighted the relief outsourcing can provide to overburdened HR departments: “Rather than stretching already limited resources to recruit for specialised roles, firms can rely on our skilled workforce and proven systems to deliver consistently excellent results.”

For many manufacturers, outsourcing also contributes to sustainability goals. Processes like degreasing and deburring often involve high energy consumption and hazardous materials, requiring careful handling and disposal. Specialist firms can optimise these operations to minimise environmental impact, reducing carbon footprints and ensuring compliance with increasingly stringent regulations. Arrowsmith emphasised, “Our processes are designed not only to deliver precision but to do so sustainably, aligning with the broader goals of our clients and the manufacturing industry as a whole.”

As energy and employment costs continue to rise, and sustainability becomes a critical business imperative, the case for outsourcing specialised processes has never been stronger. For UK manufacturers, partnering with experts like Midland Deburr and Finish offers a clear path to cost efficiency, regulatory compliance, and operational focus—key ingredients for thriving in today’s challenging economic landscape.

Arrowsmith concluded, “We see outsourcing as a partnership that allows businesses to adapt to a rapidly evolving market. By taking the burden of complex, resource-intensive processes off their hands, we empower manufacturers to focus on innovation and growth, confident that their critical components are in expert hands.”

In a sector where costs, skills, and sustainability dominate the agenda, outsourcing offers manufacturers a pragmatic solution to safeguard their future while addressing today’s most pressing challenges.