Operational disruptions
Unplanned downtime has become a routine reality for small and mid-sized UK manufacturers, with 84% reporting it at least monthly and 18% experiencing it at least weekly. Supply-chain disruption is the most common cause at 22%, followed by cyber incidents at 17%, equipment failure at 14%, and staff shortages at 14%. Nearly four in five manufacturers state that current risks cause moderate to significant disruption to operations.
The coverage gap
The findings highlight specific exposures for brokers to address, with 79% of manufacturers concerned about the cost of replacing key machinery following a breakdown or fire. Over a quarter want help identifying underinsurance, while 27% seek support with business continuity planning.