Goods totalling over £1.2 billion are being stored in Northern Ireland manufacturers' warehouses, a new report has found.

The 'Chain reaction' study by Barclays Corporate Banking revealed the impact of supply chain delays across the region. It focuses on manufacturing businesses with over 10 employees and looks at the impact of supply chain issues. Barclays' research shows that over nine in ten (90%) Northern Ireland businesses are currently holding items in their warehouses awaiting completion because raw materials, ingredients or component parts have not yet been delivered from suppliers. On average, this 'unfinished business' is worth over £1.2m to each company impacted.

Products in the steel and metals sector are most severely affected, with £9bn worth of goods incomplete – equivalent to almost a fifth (19%) of the sub-sector's annual turnover across the UK. The most affected consumer goods sector is food and drink, with delays in sourcing ingredients causing a £3bn backlog. A high value of plastic products (£2.6bn) and electronics (£2bn) are also awaiting completion.

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The industry is innovating to solve these challenges. Most commonly, Northern Ireland businesses are increasing their storage capacity (52%) to prepare for the fact raw materials are taking longer to source. Meanwhile, nearly four in ten (39%) are "near shoring" to move their supply chains closer to home and 29% have brought elements of their supply chain in house. To spread their bets, 32% of manufacturers have increased the number of different suppliers they work with.

Businesses have also doubled down on their commitment to sustainability despite supply chain pressures. Two thirds (66%) of UK manufacturers say carbon reduction has become an even bigger priority in the past six months, despite seven in ten (70%) saying their environmental goals have become less attainable.

Amidst the business optimism, however, Barclays' report also lays bare the threat that rising costs and supply chain disruption could pose long-term if circumstances do not improve. On average, Northern Ireland manufacturers only expect to be able to sustain their operations for a further 16 months if current conditions continue.

John Mathers, Corporate Development Director at Barclays Corporate Banking in Northern Ireland, said: "The Northern Ireland manufacturing sector has faced a perfect storm of challenges this year, with rising costs, the war in Ukraine, labour shortages and ongoing Covid lockdowns in China hitting supply chains hard. As a result, over £1.2bn worth of goods are trapped in warehouses unfinished, and this may hit industry turnover in the early part of next year.

"However, manufacturing firms have done what they do best and engineered new solutions to limit the impact of the issues they face. As a result, many businesses will enter the new year with a degree of cautious optimism and confidence. Our survey highlights the continuing resilience of the sector in Northern Ireland with over 80% of companies feeling confident about growth next year."