The secondary sector deals with the businesses which process the products from the primary sector, for this reason it is sometimes called the manufacturing sector.
Natural resources and raw materials are transformed into all kinds of goods and services by this sector. Not only does it deal with the raw products from the primary sector, it's also involved in utilising already processed goods. Therefore, several processed goods can be combined to produce a completely new product or service.
An example of this sector is the clothes industry. Primary sector fabric is used in the manufacturing process, and the output is clothing. If the clothing were made of cotton, the cotton is harvested from the cotton plant and sold to the secondary sector fabric manufacturer.
The fabric manufacturer who weaves or spins the fabric sells it on to another manufacturer who makes unique patterns with the manufactured cotton fabric. In addition, the sewing machines, buttons, thread, patterns and other components to make a complete dress outfit have to be bought from other secondary sector manufacturers for a complete dress to be made.
In the UK, there are businesses which are unique to certain regions:
- The Midlands, London and North England - clothes manufacturing
- South-East England and Scotland - hi-tech computer manufacturing
- East Midlands, Northern Ireland, North West England - textile manufacturing
- North West, South East England and North England - chemical manufacturing
- North West, South West and South East England - aerospace industry
A wide range of businesses in the manufacturing industry include:
- Drinks - This includes non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages
- Printing - Newspapers, journals, books, junk mail
- Clothing - Synthetic fabrics, cotton, linen, wool
- Ceramics - Tableware, pottery, china, toilets
- Steel - Road building, construction, cutlery
Manufacturing is now typically high-tech and specialised in the UK, although working conditions can still be difficult, as in an automotive plant for example.
The food and drink industry is a major employer with approximately 600,000 employees. As it goes through a recovery phase, this sector is very competitive and world-class. The biotechnological industry is the largest in Europe; the aerospace is the second largest in the entire world.
The prospects of growth in this sector are quite reasonable given the high skill level of UK workers, and the currently relatively high levels of unemployment. Continuous development in technology means that employers will require a high-skills and knowledge base.
There is also some government support for the industries in this sector through investment initiatives to boost the sector as a whole. For example, the area of nanotechnology has received investment from the government to bolster development.
Britain needs to remain at the forefront of innovation and competitiveness and the sector is receiving government backing to make this happen.
Major manufacturers in the UK include:
- Nissan - Car manufacturing and large employer
- Airbus - Aircraft and aerospace manufacturer
- ICI - Chemical product manufacturers
- Proctor and Gamble - Home product manufacturers
- Glaxo Smith-Kline - Drugs and baby product manufacturer
Activity 12 - Why do you think employment in the UK manufacturing sector has declined in recent decades?
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