The European materials handling federation, FEM, has joined a broad coalition of 80 organisations from across Europe’s manufacturing ecosystem, to launch a new call for action - a Made in Europe marketing initiative.

Leading the coalition is the European Factories of the Future Research Association (EFFRA).

“Europe’s manufacturing base stands at a decisive crossroads,” EFFRA states in its Next Generation Manufacturing, Made in Europe: Innovation, Sovereignty & Sustainability report.

"Global competition, resource constraints, accelerating technological change, and demographic pressures are reshaping the industrial landscape. 

“To remain competitive and sovereign in this environment, Europe must reinforce its leadership in advanced manufacturing technologies.”

EFFRA says manufacturing industries employ around 30 million people in the European Union and generates more than EUR2 trillion (USD2.4 trillion) in value added annually and accounts for some 80% of EU exports.

“Within manufacturing, advanced manufacturing companies constitute the technological backbone of Europe’s industrial ecosystem and are essential enablers of productivity, innovation, and job creation across nearly all manufacturing value chains,” EFFRA states.

The FEM says the initiative comes at a critical moment for Europe’s industrial future.

“The coalition calls on European policymakers to establish a coordinated, large-scale ‘Made in Europe’ initiative, embedded in upcoming EU instruments such as Framework Programme 10 and the European Competitiveness Fund,” the FEM continues.

“This initiative aims to better align research, innovation, and industrial deployment, ensuring that Europe not only develops cutting-edge technologies but also manufactures them at scale within its borders.”