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Trailer, Caravan & Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing in the UK - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Yusuf Allinson Yusuf Allinson London, United Kingdom Last Updated: September 2024 SIC C29.200

Revenue

£4.5bn

2024-25

£4.5bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

£XXX.Xm

Employees

18,283

Businesses

751

Wages

£XXX.Xm

Trailer, Caravan & Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing in the UK industry analysis

The Trailer, Caravan and Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing industry has been in decline in recent years because of lower domestic car production. Road freight companies and car producers are manufacturers’ main markets, so their activity levels determine manufacturers’ success. Total freight volumes are climbing because of greater online shopping, stimulating demand for trailers and semi-trailers. However, this comes after the pandemic decimated orders for all products; car production fell by 29.3% in 2020, tanking orders as production stopped, while trailer and caravan sales also dipped, leading to a severe revenue drop of 19.1% in 2020-21. Revenue is forecast to inch downwards at a compound annual rate of 0.7% over the five years through 2024-25 to £4.5 billion, but it’s forecast to rise by 1.2% in 2024-25.

Trends and Insights

  • New vehicle models provide opportunities. Nissan, BMW and Jaguar Land Rover are committing production of new electric and hybrid models to UK plants, boosting orders for vehicle bodies.
  • The drop in car production dents revenue. Falling car production means fewer orders for body producers, though commitments from Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan and BMW offer potential future growth.
  • The North West shines as UK's hub for manufacturing. The region is ideal for trailer, caravan and motor vehicle body manufacturers, due to its proximity to key markets and manufacturers like Bentley and Vauxhall.
  • Internal competition drives innovation. Manufacturers strive to create superior and fuel-efficient designs, offer strong after-sales services and establish relationships with motor vehicle manufacturers to sustain demand.

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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 0.7 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £4.5bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Dwindling UK car production diminishes orders, but new models offer sales a boost

  • UK car manufacturing activity has been falling due to lower investment in the automotive sector and new models being made in overseas plants.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Trailer, Caravan & Motor Vehicle Body 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

New car models committed to UK plants drive orders of vehicle bodies

  • UK car manufacturing is set to press forward as government funding and policies generate interest in new hybrid and pure electric models.

Biggest companies in the Trailer, Caravan & Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing in the UK

Company
Market Share (%)
2025
Revenue (£m)
2025
Swindon Pressings Limited
220.8
Swift Group Ltd
186.0
Gray & Adams Group Ltd
135.7

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

Products & Services Segmentation

Trailer, Caravan & Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing in the UK
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Motor vehicle bodies, Recreational vehicles and Trailers and semi-trailers. Motor vehicle bodies is the largest segment of the Trailer, Caravan & Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing in the UK.

Trends and Insights

Falling domestic car production drags orders of motor vehicle bodies, but new models offer opportunities

  • Motor vehicle bodies for passenger cars, lorries, vans, buses, coaches and trucks account for the bulk of revenue, with pressings made by car makers.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Companies in this industry manufacture bodies for motor vehicles, trailers, semi-trailers, caravans and containers used for transport purposes.

What's included in this industry?

Motor vehicle bodies Recreational vehicles Trailers and semi-trailers

Companies

Swindon Pressings LimitedSwift Group LtdGray & Adams Group Ltd

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

Related Terms

B-TRAINRECREATIONAL VEHICLEARTICULATED LORRIESSEMI-TRAILERRESISTANCE SPOT WELDINGVORTEX GENERATOR

Industry Code

SIC 2007

SIC 29.20 - Trailer, Caravan & Motor Vehicle Body 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

New vehicle models provide opportunities. Nissan, BMW and Jaguar Land Rover are committing production of new electric and hybrid models to UK plants, boosting orders for vehi...

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

The drop in car production dents revenue. Falling car production means fewer orders for body producers, though commitments from Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan and BMW offer potent...

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 North West shines as UK's hub for manufacturing. The region is ideal for trailer, caravan and motor vehicle body manufacturers, due to its proximity to key markets and ma...

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

Internal competition drives innovation. Manufacturers strive to create superior and fuel-efficient designs, offer strong after-sales services and establish relationships with...

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

Swindon Pressings stands at the top of the market. The company's advanced production techniques and strategic association with prestigious automotive brands like BMW fortify ...

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 Swindon Pressings Limited's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Swift Group Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Gray & Adams Group Ltd'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 Swindon Pressings Limited, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Swift Group Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Gray & Adams Group Ltd, 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

Regulations set by the Department for Transport set trailer manufacturing standards. These set weight and length restrictions, ensuring all vehicles adhere to national road 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

Operational challenges push down profit. High steel prices and rising import costs have forced manufacturers to renegotiate contracts to maintain profitability.

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 Trailer, Caravan & Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?

The market size of the Trailer, Caravan & Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £4.5bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Trailer, Caravan & Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing in the UK industry in 2024?

There are 751 businesses in the Trailer, Caravan & Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.0 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Trailer, Caravan & Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Trailer, Caravan & Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been declining at a CAGR of 0.7 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Trailer, Caravan & Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Trailer, Caravan & Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Trailer, Caravan & Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing in the UK market in United Kingdom?

The biggest companies operating in the Trailer, Caravan & Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing market in United Kingdom are Swindon Pressings Limited, Swift Group Ltd and Gray & Adams Group Ltd

What does the Trailer, Caravan & Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing in the UK in United Kingdom include?

Motor vehicle bodies and Recreational vehicles are part of the Trailer, Caravan & Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing in the UK industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Trailer, Caravan & Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing in the UK in United Kingdom?

The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is Swindon Pressings Limited.

How competitive is the Trailer, Caravan & Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom?

The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Trailer, Caravan & Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing in the UK industry in United Kingdom.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • There are no industries to display.

Complementors

  • Motor Vehicle Manufacturing in the UK
  • Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories Manufacturing in the UK

International industries

  • Truck, Trailer & Motor Home Manufacturing in the US
  • Truck Trailer Manufacturing in the US
  • Truck, Trailer & Motor Home Manufacturing in Canada
  • Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing in Australia

View all industries in United Kingdom

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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