Food and Drink

Offshore Industry

Electronics

Britain has the fourth largest electronics industry in the world. The computer sector produced an extensive range of systems, central processors and peripheral equipment, from large computers for large-scale data- processing and scientific work to mini-and microcomputers for control and automation system and for home, educational and office use. In 1993 exports reached a record level, around ₤4,000 million.

Britain makes 40 per cent of Europe's desktop computers. Nearly half of these computers and peripheral equipment intended for export are made in Scotland. Several leading overseas manufactures of data-processing equipment - for example, IBM, Unisys and Compaq - have established manufacturing plants in Britain. The biggest computer manufacturer is the largely Japanese-owned ICL. Other companies, such as Psion, have concentrated on developing new products for specialised markets. These include pocket-sized computers and notebook and pen computers.

Another sector of the industry manufactures radio communications equipment, radar, radio and sonar navigational aids for ships and aircraft, thermal imaging systems, alarms and signalling equipment, public broadcasting equipment and other capital goods. Radar was invented in Britain and British firms are still in the forefront of technical advances.

Britain has substantial oil and gas reserves offshore on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS). Before the 1970s it was almost wholly dependent on imports for oil supplies.

Around 34,000 people are employed offshore, while a further 250,000 work in support industries - building oil rigs, designing platforms and pipelines, operating helicopters and boats and so on. Gross capital investment from British sources in oil and gas extraction represents about 20 per cent of British industrial investment.

Output of crude oil and natural gas liquids in Britain average just over 2 million barrels (around 274,000 tonnes) a day in 1993, making Britain the world's tenth largest oil producer.

Britain has large food and drink manufacturing industry, which has accounted for a growing proportion of total domestic food supply in recent decades. Approximately 500,000 people are employed in the industry.

Frozen and prepared children foods, annual sales of which stand at over ₤3,600 million and ₤1,800 million respectively, other convenience foods, yoghurts, dairy desserts and instant snacks have formed the fastest-growing sector of the food market in recent years. Demand for health and slimming foods also continues to expand and there has been a rise in sales of organically-grown produce as well as a variety of products for vegetarians (soya-based foods, for instance).

Of major significance among alcoholic drinks produced in Britain in Scotch whisky, one of Britain's top export earners. there are 110 distilleries in Scotland, where the best known brands of blended Scotch whisky, such as J& B, Johnnie Walker, Famous Grouse and Teachers, are made from the products of single malt and single grain whisky distilleries. About four-fifths of Scots whisky production is exported, to more that 200 countries; the value of exports was ₤2,100 million in 1993.

The soft drinks industry is the fastest-growing sector of the grocery trade, with an annual turnover of about ₤6,000 million.

Дата добавления: 2014-01-05