Economic Impact of Coronavirus

The medical impact of Coronavirus has been reported widely, but it is the Economic impact which is now challenging businesses worldwide.

China’s economic growth is expected to slow to 4.5% in the first quarter of 2020, with this being the slowest pace since the financial crisis (according to a Reuters poll of economists)

The trade body for the global airline industry, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), warned that the cost to the airline industry could be $29.2bn (£23.7bn) in lost revenue.

The hardest hit are said to be hospitality chains, airlines, retailers and luxury goods makers.

What are the impacts on manufacturing though?

With China’s factories remaining closed, this brings about concerns with global supply chains; for example, Jaguar Land Rover warned it is in danger of running out of parts at its British factories which it has said they bring in from China. JCB have scaled back production at their UK plants, with others set to follow suit.

With lead times typically averaging six weeks for components from China and the coronavirus already having lasted this long, this could be a pinch point for component supplies from China. Where does this leave UK-based companies reliant on factories based in China?

What is clear is that now would be a good time for UK-based manufacturers to source directly from the U.K. either as an immediate backup plan while this continues, or to integrate UK-based suppliers into their supply chain to alleviate this kind of complications in the future. At ADS we have had discussions with a number of suppliers for metal laser cutting, folding, fabricating and finishing.

ADS Laser Cutting is the Premier Metal Laser Cutting, Folding, Fabrication, Finishing and Assembly in the UK. Providing Bespoke to Volume Solutions.

For any enquiries, visit our Contact Us page and get in touch.