The owner of London-based Ormiston Wire, a family-run company that has produced specialist wires and cables for six generations, has attributed the severe downturn in his business to the fallout from Brexit. Mark Ormiston, head of the firm, warned that small manufacturers like his have been “flushed down the toilet” by Brexit, as political leaders failed to fully consider its impact on UK manufacturing.
Ormiston Wire, which supplies everything from naval vessels to film sets, has seen its exports to the EU halved since the UK left the bloc. With the loss of key European markets, the company, which generates £1.5 million in annual revenue, is facing limited growth prospects at home.
Ormiston expressed frustration over the lack of support for small businesses in the Brexit aftermath. “Our exports have literally halved. We were trying to expand in Europe because British manufacturing was already in decline, and now it’s even worse,” he said.
Figures from Make UK, the trade body for manufacturers, show that exports to the EU have dropped by 80%, with small- and medium-sized businesses bearing the brunt of the downturn.
With Labour leader Keir Starmer pledging to reset relations with the EU, Ormiston is calling on him to ensure smaller firms aren’t left behind in future negotiations. “My message to Starmer is: don’t forget the countless small British manufacturers who are leaders in innovation, design, and enthusiasm for bringing new products to market,” Ormiston said.
He also criticised the focus on larger corporations, like British Aerospace, in discussions about UK industry. “We’re irrelevant to the big organisations like Make UK and the CBI. But if you multiply small businesses like mine across the country, we add up to a significant part of British exports.”
Ormiston’s concerns reflect wider frustrations among small businesses as UK goods exports to the EU have yet to recover to pre-Brexit levels. A report from the House of Commons library showed that exports to the EU, which exceeded £170 billion annually in the years leading up to Brexit, fell to £153 billion in 2023.
While government officials have pledged to reduce trade barriers caused by Brexit, the impact of these efforts may be limited, with Starmer ruling out rejoining the single market or customs union.
“Government insiders say they are determined to tear down as many barriers to trade caused by Brexit but with Starmer ruling out rejoining the single market and customs union the impact will be limited”
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