Yorkshire and Humber is one of the UK's largest manufacturing centres with:

• The largest concentration of precision forgers in the UK
• Europe's only facility to manufacture titanium castings
• The largest concentration of medical device companies in the UK
• The region will also be home to one of the world's largest, most efficient power stations through the '210mn expansion of ConocoPhillips' CHP plant

With a strong heritage in heavy engineering and manufacturing, Yorkshire and Humber is home to 5,739 companies within the advanced engineering and materials sectors, generating over £4.9bn a year and employing a workforce of 121,300.

The advanced engineering and materials sector in the region encompasses defence, aerospace, automotive and other special advanced engineering applications including medical, oil and gas. A strong supply chain supporting the AEM industry is already in place within the region.

The region boasts historically strong engineering and manufacturing industries, sub-systems and components, all supported by a diverse, highly skilled and educated workforce.

Businesses in Yorkshire and Humber benefit from an extensive transport infrastructure, with key national rail routes and motorways running through the region. Edinburgh and London are less than fours hours away by road and London is just two hours away by train. The region's ports constitute the largest ports complex in the country, handling over 78 million tonnes of freight a year.

The region's location also allows easy access to the UK's other major engineering centres in the North West, North East and Midlands.

Our R&D expenditure is greater than that of Oxford and Cambridge and is the highest outside London, attracting '340m in academic research investment. With over 100 university research facilities receiving the highest research ratings this offers industry a wealth of expertise and potential innovation to capitalise on.

The UK's only national research and skills centre for metals technology ' the National Metals Technology Centre is located in the region.

"Yorkshire and Humber is also home to the UK's only national research and skills centre for metals technology."

Business confidence is high and operating costs low ' some 20% lower than the UK average. Office rentals are between 30% and 50% lower than London, and salaries are 7% below the national average.

Already home to nearly 300,000 companies, the region is growing rapidly. Yorkshire and Humber has five major cities that have been identified as being some of the best locations for business in the UK, more than any other region.

Key facts:

• Businesses could save £60 million over 10 years, simply by relocating to Yorkshire
• The cost of living in Yorkshire can be between 30 - 40% lower than the UK average
• The region is a major gateway to over 370 million potential customers
• Businesses in the region are amongst the most confident in the UK

"Businesses in the region are able to tap into a local venture capital market worth over '500mn."