Why Manufacturers Choose Harlow

Harlow brings together established industrial areas, technical training and road and rail connections between London and Cambridge. For manufacturers, engineers and technology businesses, that combination provides a practical base for production, research and growth.

The town’s appeal extends beyond its location. Businesses can find industrial premises, develop skills through local training providers and connect with a wider scientific and technology economy. Investment is also changing the town: our guide to Harlow’s future explains the major projects underway and planned.

Connections to customers and suppliers

Harlow is served by junctions 7 and 7a of the M11, with connections to the M25 and the wider motorway network. The A414 provides another important route through Essex and Hertfordshire. These links help businesses organise deliveries, reach customers and bring in materials and components.

Harlow Town and Harlow Mill stations connect the town with the London–Cambridge rail route, while Stansted Airport provides access to international flights and freight services. Journey times depend on the starting point, traffic and the service used, so businesses should assess routes against their own delivery schedules and staff travel needs.

Premises for different kinds of business

Manufacturing requires suitable working space as well as a convenient address. Templefields offers established industrial accommodation, while the wider town has workshops, business centres and office space for supporting activities.

The Enterprise Zone also includes Harlow Science Park at London Road North and Kao Park at London Road South. These locations bring science and technology workspace, offices and digital infrastructure into the local business mix. Harlow Council’s guide to business locations is a useful starting point for exploring the options.

For a manufacturer considering a move, the details matter: power capacity, loading access, floor space, planning permission and room to expand should all be checked for the individual property.

Engineering skills and apprenticeships

Harlow College’s Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering Centre (HAMEC) supports technical education and training for local industry. Its work includes helping employers develop existing staff and supporting the next generation of engineers.

The college’s engineering apprenticeship routes include machining, mechatronics maintenance, and automation and controls. These provide ways for businesses to build skills around their operations, combining workplace experience with structured learning. Employers can explore Harlow College’s apprenticeship options and discuss their training needs with HAMEC.

Links with science and technology

Harlow sits within the London–Cambridge Innovation Corridor, connecting it with a wider region of research, life sciences and technology businesses. Within the town, Anglia Ruskin University’s Arise Innovation Hub provides a base for innovative businesses at Harlow Innovation Park.

For manufacturers developing new products or processes, nearby research and business networks offer opportunities to explore collaboration and specialist support. The value will depend on the company’s sector and needs, but Harlow provides several starting points for making those connections.

A town investing in its future

The planned UK Health Security Agency campus and Harlow Council’s town centre regeneration add a longer-term dimension to the town’s appeal. Scientific investment could strengthen the local skills and business network, while improved public spaces, transport facilities and cultural venues can make the centre more useful to employees and visitors.

Read more about UKHSA’s planned move and the regeneration of Harlow town centre, including the current timetable and progress.

Planning a move or expansion

Harlow offers several reasons to consider it as a manufacturing base. The best decision starts with the requirements of the business: suitable premises, reliable transport routes, access to staff and a realistic plan for future growth.

Harlow Council’s Economic Development Team can help with questions about local business locations and opportunities. Contact the team through its business location information page when exploring where to establish or expand an operation.