Last Sunday saw UK manufacturing go head-to-head against the services sector in a showdown of epic proportions. The playing field was Lord Sugar's boardroom in the grand final of The Apprentice which saw Tom Pellereau, representing UK manufacturing, take on Helen Milligan who was fronting a services proposal.

For Lord Sugar, the two business plans vying for the entrepreneur's £250,000 were poles apart. Tom, AKA - The Mad Professor, campaigned for the production of an office chair that would resolve back strain whilst Helen suggested a national concierge service which would be rolled out regionally.

It's fair to say that both business proposals had gaping holes in them but in the end, and despite being the series' underdog, Tom brought it home for UK manufacturing with Lord Sugar choosing The Mad Professor as his business partner.

Showbiz antics aside, Lord Sugar wasn't just choosing an 'Apprentice' but essentially a business to invest in and this demonstrates the appeal and level of interest that UK manufacturing commands. As a vibrant and exciting sector where new innovative products are commissioned on a daily basis, there's no better time to get involved. And you don't get a much bigger endorsement than that of Lord Sugar who admitted on the after show You're Hired; 'I'm a product man at heart.'

UK Manufacturing 1 - Services 0