Computer & Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing in the UK: Market Size, Businesses & Forecast 2026

The Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing industry in the UK designs, produces, and sells computer systems, components, and peripheral devices. The industry has experienced moderate growth with total sector output of £2.8 billion in 2021, reflecting steady demand despite global supply chain challenges (source: Office for National Statistics). Recent performance has been influenced by increased remote work needs and digital transformation initiatives across various sectors.

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What does the Computer & Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing in the UK industry cover?

The Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing industry encompasses businesses that produce electronic computers, computer storage devices, computer terminals, printers, and other computer peripheral equipment. This includes both original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and companies involved in assembly operations within the UK.

• •Industry contributes approximately £2.8 billion to UK manufacturing GDP (2021, Office for National Statistics)
• •Includes establishments engaged in the production of mainframes, servers, laptops, tablets, and computer peripherals

Who operates in the industry and how is it structured?

The UK market is characterized by a mix of multinational corporations with local manufacturing operations and specialized component suppliers. While complete manufacturing of complex systems is limited, the UK maintains significant assembly capabilities for certain product segments.

• •Approximately 375 businesses operate in this sector in the UK (2021, industry sources - note: commercial source used here only for structural data, not market size)
• •Manufacturing facilities primarily located in regions with strong technology clusters such as East of England and South East England

What drives demand in the industry?

Demand for computer and peripheral equipment is primarily driven by digital transformation initiatives across all sectors, remote work adoption, and increasing computing power requirements. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital adoption, boosting demand for computing hardware.

• •UK business investment in information and communication technology equipment reached £12.2 billion in 2022 (Office for National Statistics)
• •Government initiatives promoting digital skills and cloud computing adoption supporting sustained demand

Who are the notable companies in the industry?

The UK market features both international manufacturers with local operations and specialized domestic firms. Major players compete across different market segments from high-performance computing to consumer peripherals.

• •Dell EMC maintains manufacturing and assembly operations in various UK locations
• •HP Inc. has significant presence in UK manufacturing and distribution centers
• •Lenovo operates manufacturing facilities in the UK for certain product lines
• •Apple has design and manufacturing operations in Cork, Ireland, serving the UK market

What are the recent trends and outlook?

The industry has faced challenges from global supply chain disruptions and component shortages, particularly affecting semiconductor availability. However, increasing demand for edge computing, AI systems, and specialized hardware for data centers presents growth opportunities.

• •UK semiconductor imports valued at £9.3 billion in 2021 (Office for National Statistics)
• •Growth in demand for specialized computing equipment for artificial intelligence and machine learning applications

How is the industry regulated?

Manufacturers in this sector must comply with complex regulatory frameworks covering electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility, environmental standards, and data protection requirements. The UK's departure from the EU has introduced new regulatory considerations.

• •Compliance with UKCA marking requirements replacing CE marking for certain products
• •RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) regulations governing hazardous materials in electronic equipment
• •Energy efficiency regulations under the Ecodesign Directive framework

Government, statistical and trade sources used for this Claight analysis.

• Office for National Statistics - UK Business: Activity, Size and Location 2021 ·
• Office for National Statistics - ICT Investment by UK Businesses 2022 ·
• Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy - UK Industrial Strategy ·
• TechUK - State of the Tech Nation 2023