February fall for manufacturing output

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Magazine Article, Source : The Manufacturer
Published : April 2006

Manufacturing output suffered an unexpected drop in February - the first since October last year - but saw the more reliable three month figure climb by 0.4 per cent in the three months to February 2006 compared with the three months to November 2005.

During the the month’s, eight out of manufacturing’s 13 subsectors showed increases in output and five decreased. There was a significant increase in the chemicals and man-made fibres industries, where output increased by 1.5 per cent. There was also a significant decrease in the electrical and optical equipment industries where output decreased by 1.4 per cent on the three-monthly basis.

Manufacturing output for the single month of February decreased by 0.2 per cent with eight subsectors showing decreases in output and five showing increases. The only significant decrease in February was in the chemicals and man-made fibres industries where output dropped by 1.8 per cent. There was also one significant increase on the month in the transport equipment industries where output increased by 1.9 per cent.

Commenting on the figures, Barclays’ national director of manufacturing Andy Martin said: “The month-on-month fall in manufacturing output is disappointing. With global demand improving, both in the US and Eurozone, it is important that UK manufacturers remain competitive to tap into this growing demand.”

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