Launching a three-year strategic plan, Peter Flinn, the Technology Strategy Board's lead technologist for advanced manufacturing, predicted that the sector would move towards "high-value, knowledge-intensive goods" to make the most of the UK's capability and further compete with other countries.
As part of the proposals, the board would like to see the focused innovation in developing new products and manufacturing processes, as well investing in knowledge transfer with the academic fields and promoting international engagement.
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Mr Flinn said: "The UK has a broad range of world-class manufacturing companies, both small and large, and has demonstrated how a nation can evolve from a traditional manufacturing base by applying modern manufacturing philosophies and by applying technology.
Latest figures from the UK Statistics Authority reveal that in the first quarter of 2008 the manufacturing sector showed a 0.3 per cent increase in output on the same period in 2007.
In particular, the chemicals and man-made fibres industries saw a 2.4 per cent increase, while production in machinery and equipment industries experienced a 1.8 per cent rise.
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