As the UK manufacturing sector looks towards 2026, Specialist Glass Products (SGP) urges manufacturers to rethink how they stay competitive in an increasingly more challenging market.
Andrew Taylor, Managing Director at SGP, believes the next phase of growth in specialist manufacturing, particularly within the glass sector, will be driven less by price and more by clarity, transparency and risk management.
1. Prioritise transparency
As costs rise and projects become more demanding, competing on price alone is becoming increasingly difficult. Manufacturers that can consistently meet complex requirements and clearly communicate their value will remain competitive.
Andrew highlights transparency and traceability as one of the most underestimated factors shaping the market. Buyers in the construction, façade engineering and high-end architectural sectors are expecting clearer information on product origin, carbon footprint, testing and compliance. By 2026, manufacturers that can provide credible, accessible product data will stand out, even when the physical product is comparable.
2. Price-led to risk-led procurement
Andrew continued, “In specialist glass, customers value reliability, lead-time certainty and technical assurance due to the high cost and visibility of failures. This focus on low-risk partnerships will spread across manufacturing as supply chains remain volatile and projects complex. Businesses acting as low-risk partners, not just transactional suppliers, will build stronger, lasting relationships.”
3. Compliance is an advantage
Greater focus is expected on embodied carbon, transparency and lifecycle performance. Andrew advises manufacturers to treat compliance as a commercial advantage. Clear documentation, environmental product declarations and auditable processes are increasingly influential in conversations with architects, contractors and developers.
4. Communication on price early
According to Andrew, volatility remains the key challenge. Energy, materials, labour and logistics continue to fluctuate, while customers still expect fixed pricing and reliable delivery. Manufacturers that communicate early, manage expectations and price risk intelligently will be better placed than those reacting defensively to market changes.
5. Efficiency and sourcing matters
By 2026, customers will more routinely question process efficiency and sourcing strategy. Suppliers able to respond confidently will strengthen their position, particularly in specialist and premium markets.
Technology’s role is often framed around efficiency, but Andrew emphasises its commercial impact. Advanced processing equipment and tighter process control reduce uncertainty and reinforce credibility.
Andrew added, “Be clear about the value you bring and stand by it. In specialist glass, trust, reliability and technical confidence will always outperform being the cheapest option.”