Printing n.e.c. Companies in the UK

SIC 18129Manufacturing|137.3% formed since 2020|Data updated 17 Apr 2026
8,370
Active

There are 8,370 active companies in the printing n.e.c. sector in the UK (SIC code 18129). This sector falls under Section C — Manufacturing — of the UK Standard Industrial Classification. The sector has a relatively low 0.2% dissolution rate — 8,370 of 9,635 registrations remain active. The sector is experiencing rapid growth, with 137.3% of active businesses incorporated since 2020 — indicating strong recent demand. 77% of companies were formed after 2010, marking this as a sector with predominantly recent entrants. The average company age in this sector is 13.9 years. 101 large companies, 31 medium-sized firms operate in this sector. London leads with 12% of companies in this sector. Companies in this sector hold 313 government contracts valued at £2.8B. The sector's longest-standing company was incorporated in 1878.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, April 2026

8,370
Active Companies
C
SIC Section
1878
Oldest Company
137.3%
Growth (2020s)
13.9 yr
Avg Company Age

A rapidly growing sector with 137.3% of active companies formed since 2020.

Incorporation by Decade
8%
18%
28%
39%
Pre-1990: 782
1990s: 704
2000s: 1,689
2010s: 2,722
2020s: 3,738

Data Signals

Governance
26,8746 src
Financial
18,19210 src
Compliance
6,08012 src
Risk
4,33111 src
Trade
2,4922 src
growth
3352 src
ESG
2536 src
quality
873 src
innovation
512 src
operational
491 src
corporate_structure
101 src
regulatory
11 src

Sector Overview

The printing n.e.c. sector has a <Link href="/glossary/company-dissolution">0.2% dissolution rate</Link>. The average active company in this sector is 13.9 years old. Geographic concentration: 12% in LONDON.

0.2%
Dissolution rate
13.9 yrs
Avg company age

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 88 (40%)Medium: 31 (14%)Large: 101 (46%)

Government Activity

Companies in the printing n.e.c. sector have been awarded 313 government contracts worth £2822.8M in total.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many printing n.e.c. companies are there in the UK?

There are 8,370 active companies classified under SIC code 18129 (Printing n.e.c.) in the UK, out of 9,635 total registered.

What is SIC code 18129?

SIC code 18129 stands for "Printing n.e.c.". It belongs to Section C — Manufacturing of the UK Standard Industrial Classification.

Where are most printing n.e.c. companies located?

The largest concentrations are in LONDON (1,035), BIRMINGHAM (183), MANCHESTER (148).

What is the average age of printing n.e.c. companies?

The average active printing n.e.c. company in the UK is 13.9 years old, with the oldest registration dating back to 1878.

What government data is available for printing n.e.c. companies?

Our database contains 58,755 data signals across 12 categories for active printing n.e.c. companies. The largest category is Governance with 26,874 signals from 6 government sources.

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Data is updated daily from official UK government sources including Companies House. Information is provided for reference only.