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Chain, Spring & Wire Product Manufacturing in the UK - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Jack Dixon Jack Dixon London, United Kingdom Last Updated: May 2024 SIC C25.930

Revenue

£1.0bn

2024-25

£1.0bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

£XX.Xm

Employees

7,850

Businesses

339

Wages

£XXX.Xm

Chain, Spring & Wire Product Manufacturing in the UK industry analysis

UK wires, chains and springs manufacturers focus on high-value niche markets as imports dominate cheaper products. The industry heavily depends on the size and performance of the downstream construction, motor vehicle and aerospace manufacturers. Turbulent economic conditions, particularly following the COVID-19 outbreak, have negatively affected many spring and wire manufacturers. Import competition has intensified despite a weak UK exchange rate, putting downward pressure on prices and negatively impacting revenue and profit. Manufacturers also heavily rely on overseas markets, with exports representing approximately 47% of industry revenue. Over the five years through 2024-25, revenue is expected to drop at a compound annual rate of 3.1% to £1 billion, including a forecast drop of 1.7% in 2024-25.
Surprisingly, the industry weathered pandemic disruption relatively well over 2020-21, with output remaining resilient to dulled downstream demand. Over 2021-22, volatile commodity prices and supply chain bottlenecks lengthened lead times and reduced the ability of manufacturers to fulfil order volumes, inflating imports and reducing revenue. Revenue partially rebounded over 2022-23, supported by a booming UK residential construction sector, increased export activity and higher output prices. Over 2023-24 and 2024-25, chain, spring and wire manufacturing activity has slowed, with a handful of companies exiting the industry amid challenging domestic prospects and intensifying import competition, weighing on profitability.
Over the five years through 2029-30, revenue is forecast to tumble at a compound annual rate of 1.5% to £950.3 million. Improving construction activity and industrial production levels will create opportunities in the domestic market. However, increasing competition from global wire, chain and spring manufacturers will keep import penetration high, constraining revenue growth. Exports will face new red tape complications since Brexit, shrinking the share of exports to EU markets and stagnating total export revenue over the coming years, especially as the pound continues to appreciate. Manufacturers focused on producing high-quality chain, spring and wire products targeted at specific markets will perform solidly and be immune to growing import penetration.

Trends and Insights

  • COVID-19 slashes manufacturing output. The pandemic disrupted supply chains and halted production, pushing revenue down in 2020-21 and 2021-22, with many manufacturers struggling to stay afloat.
  • Spring sales expand, driven by export activity. Export demand has propelled spring sales, supported by a resurgence in automotive manufacturing. Meanwhile, increased oil and gas extraction has supported demand for stranded wire, rope and cable products.
  • Access to ports offers huge benefits. Ports in Yorkshire, such as Grimsby, are crucial for importing necessary inputs and exporting finished products, emphasising the importance of accessible shipping networks.
  • Competition drives innovation and efficiency. Manufacturers must constantly improve product quality and streamline operations to stay competitive in the face of pricing pressures.

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  • Critical performance data and rankings
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 3.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £1.0bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

COVID-19 complications weaken manufacturing output

  • The COVID-19 outbreak disrupted supply chains, currency markets, commodity markets and downstream business activity, weakening sales to crucial buying industries. These disruptions caused revenue to tumble by 3.8% over 2020-21 and 3.8% again over 2021-22.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Chain, Spring & Wire Product Manufacturing in the UK
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Weak UK manufacturing productivity restricts profitability growth

  • Profitability will slowly recover but remain below historical levels partially thanks to weak UK manufacturing productivity relative to other G7 economies and China.

Biggest companies in the Chain, Spring & Wire Product Manufacturing in the UK

Company
Market Share (%)
2025
Revenue (£m)
2025
BRC Ltd
173.9
Bridon International Ltd
108.5
Lesjofors AB
42.6

To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Chain, Spring & Wire Product Manufacturing in the UK
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Welded and woven wire grill, netting and fencing, Stranded wire, rope and cable and Other wire. Welded and woven wire grill, netting and fencing is the largest segment of the Chain, Spring & Wire Product Manufacturing in the UK.

Trends and Insights

Sales of springs climb over 2022, driven by export activity

  • This segment includes hot-formed and cold-formed spring products, predominantly made from iron, steel and copper. They can be torsion springs, compression springs or tension springs.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Companies in this industry manufacture chain, spring and wire products, including various types of wire fencing and netting. This industry manufactures hot-formed and cold-formed spring products, predominantly made from iron, steel and copper. These springs can be torsion springs, compression springs, or tension springs.

What's included in this industry?

Stranded wire, rope and cableSpringsWelded and woven wire grill, netting and fencingChainOther wire

Companies

BRC LtdBridon International LtdLesjofors AB

Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

TORSION SPRINGWIRE DRAWINGPETROCHEMICAL

Industry Code

SIC 2007

SIC 25.93 - Chain, Spring & Wire Product Manufacturing in the UK

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

COVID-19 slashes manufacturing output. The pandemic disrupted supply chains and halted production, pushing revenue down in 2020-21 and 2021-22, with many manufacturers strugg...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Spring sales expand, driven by export activity. Export demand has propelled spring sales, supported by a resurgence in automotive manufacturing. Meanwhile, increased oil and ...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets
  • International Trade

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level
  • Total imports, level and trend
  • Total exports, level and trend
  • Trade Balance

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024
  • International trade, including imports by country and exports by country

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
  • Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Access to ports offers huge benefits. Ports in Yorkshire, such as Grimsby, are crucial for importing necessary inputs and exporting finished products, emphasising the importa...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Competition drives innovation and efficiency. Manufacturers must constantly improve product quality and streamline operations to stay competitive in the face of pricing press...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

BRC's strong reputation keeps it on top. The company remains a leading supplier of steel reinforcement, boasting high-quality, sustainable products and scoring major contract...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of BRC Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Bridon International Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Lesjofors AB's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for BRC Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Bridon International Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Lesjofors AB, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Waste management regulations aim to safeguard health and environment. The Waste Framework Directive outlines necessary steps for businesses to dispose of waste responsibly, e...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Pandemic disruptions eat away at profits. COVID-19 complications, like supply chain issues, commodity price shocks and falling revenue, cut profitability in 2020-21. Profitab...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Liquidity Ratios (2018-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2018-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2018-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2018-2022)
  • Assets (2018-2022)
  • Liabilities (2018-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Chain, Spring & Wire Product Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?

The market size of the Chain, Spring & Wire Product Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £1.0bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Chain, Spring & Wire Product Manufacturing in the UK industry in 2024?

There are 339 businesses in the Chain, Spring & Wire Product Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.6 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Chain, Spring & Wire Product Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Chain, Spring & Wire Product Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been declining at a CAGR of 3.1 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Chain, Spring & Wire Product Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Chain, Spring & Wire Product Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to decline.

What are the biggest companies in the Chain, Spring & Wire Product Manufacturing in the UK market in United Kingdom?

The biggest companies operating in the Chain, Spring & Wire Product Manufacturing market in United Kingdom are BRC Ltd, Bridon International Ltd and Lesjofors AB

What does the Chain, Spring & Wire Product Manufacturing in the UK in United Kingdom include?

Stranded wire, rope and cable and Springs are part of the Chain, Spring & Wire Product Manufacturing in the UK industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Chain, Spring & Wire Product Manufacturing in the UK in United Kingdom?

The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is BRC Ltd.

How competitive is the Chain, Spring & Wire Product Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom?

The level of competition is high and steady in the Chain, Spring & Wire Product Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom.

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Methodology

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Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the UK include:

  • Office for National Statistics
  • Office for Budget Responsibility
  • Bank of England

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

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