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Communication Equipment Manufacturing in the UK - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Harry Dee Harry Dee London, United Kingdom Last Updated: September 2024 SIC C26.300

Revenue

£3.1bn

2024-25

£3.1bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

£X.Xbn

Employees

11,925

Businesses

1,010

Wages

£XXX.Xm

Communication Equipment Manufacturing in the UK industry analysis

The world is increasingly connected. People communicate through a host of devices and services such as smartphones and computers. Connections are made via radio, TV, infrastructure and smart devices such as alarm systems, which are now often connected directly to the authorities. Communications equipment is used to establish these connections and manufacturing such equipment is a vital component of the global manufacturing sector. UK firms specialise in producing high-value products, competing on quality rather than price. Despite high global demand, the industry is in long-term decline, as cost pressures have forced manufacturers to relocate offshore.

Trends and Insights

  • Intensifying competition and Brexit challenges hit the communication equipment market. The high labour costs, heavy regulation, and added challenges from Brexit have made it difficult for UK manufacturers to compete against foreign companies in the lower-cost electronics market.
  • Data reception and transmission equipment sales dip. A rise in streaming services has impacted traditional set-top boxes as more TV is broadcast over the internet.
  • The South East benefits tech manufacturers, as it offers access to talent. The region's skilled workforce, proximity to London and presence of major tech companies provide distinct advantages for communication equipment manufacturers.
  • The Communication market is diluted by product variety. Various communication tools, from cellphones to train signalling systems, split customer focus and create niche markets, lowering market concentration.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 3.6 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £3.1bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Domestic production focuses on high-cost and high-value products

  • The UK struggles to compete against foreign manufacturers in the lower-cost electronics market due to high labour costs, significant manufacturing overheads and heavy regulation. Most electronic manufacturing is offshored abroad, most commonly to China and other parts of East Asia.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Communication Equipment Manufacturing in the UK
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

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

Trends and Insights

Investments in digital infrastructure are rising

  • Increased traffic on wired and wireless networks is driving investment in expanding digital data infrastructure. The government and private sector are expected to contribute towards expanding and upgrading communication networks, focusing on reaching rural areas.

Biggest companies in the Communication Equipment Manufacturing in the UK

Company
Market Share (%)
2025
Revenue (£m)
2025
Sony Europe BV
488.8
Siemens plc
327.1
Sepura Ltd
103.4

To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Communication Equipment Manufacturing in the UK
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including TV and radio broadcasting equipment, Data reception and transmission equipment and Burglar and fire alarms. TV and radio broadcasting equipment is the largest segment of the Communication Equipment Manufacturing in the UK.

Trends and Insights

Residential demand for burglar and fire alarm market is buoyed by remote working

  • Burglar and fire alarms cover electrical alarm devices used in buildings and send signals to control stations or other locations.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Companies in this industry manufacture telecommunication and broadcasting equipment. Products include telephones (fixed-line, cordless and mobile), data communications equipment, pagers, modems, burglar and fire alarm systems, transmitting and receiving antennae and radio and TV transmitters. The industry also manufactures other broadcasting equipment, including professional video cameras.

What's included in this industry?

TV and radio broadcasting equipmentData reception and transmission equipmentBurglar and fire alarmsAerialsTelephones

Companies

Sony Europe BVSiemens plcSepura Ltd

Purchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

CCTVBROADBANDVOIP

Industry Code

SIC 2007

SIC 26.30 - Communication Equipment 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

Intensifying competition and Brexit challenges hit the communication equipment market. The high labour costs, heavy regulation, and added challenges from Brexit have made it ...

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

Data reception and transmission equipment sales dip. A rise in streaming services has impacted traditional set-top boxes as more TV is broadcast over the internet.

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

The South East benefits tech manufacturers, as it offers access to talent. The region's skilled workforce, proximity to London and presence of major tech companies provide di...

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

The Communication market is diluted by product variety. Various communication tools, from cellphones to train signalling systems, split customer focus and create niche market...

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

Sony Europe pivots to high-value production. Moving to produce high-value-added products, Sony is leveraging quality to remain competitive in the professional video camera ma...

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 Sony Europe BV's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Siemens plc's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Sepura Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Sony Europe BV, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Siemens plc, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Sepura Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies

External Environment

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

Analyst insights

Regulations champion equipment safety and functionality in the UK. These laws govern the design and manufacture of products like mobile phones and routers, ensuring they're s...

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

A microchip shortage hammers industry profit. The affordability and profitability of electronics manufacturing are under severe pressure due to an ongoing international scarc...

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 Communication Equipment Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?

The market size of the Communication Equipment Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £3.1bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Communication Equipment Manufacturing in the UK industry in 2024?

There are 1,010 businesses in the Communication Equipment Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has declined at a CAGR of 3.1 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Communication Equipment Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Communication Equipment Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been declining at a CAGR of 3.6 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Communication Equipment Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Communication Equipment Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Communication Equipment Manufacturing in the UK market in United Kingdom?

The biggest companies operating in the Communication Equipment Manufacturing market in United Kingdom are Sony Europe BV, Siemens plc and Sepura Ltd

What does the Communication Equipment Manufacturing in the UK in United Kingdom include?

TV and radio broadcasting equipment and Data reception and transmission equipment are part of the Communication Equipment Manufacturing in the UK industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Communication Equipment Manufacturing in the UK in United Kingdom?

The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is Sony Europe BV.

How competitive is the Communication Equipment Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Communication Equipment Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom.

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Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

View all industries in United Kingdom

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

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.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.