Manufacturing output on the rise again

Manufacturing News, Source : TheManufacturer.com
Published : 10 May 2007 12:15

Manufacturing output rebounded between February and March, according the figures released today by the Office for National Statistics.

Manufacturing output increased across the board by 0.6 per cent during March largely reversing the decrease seen during the earlier part of the year. Output rose in 11 of the 13 sub-sectors and fell in two sub-sectors. Within the widespread increases in the latest month there were no significant increases. The largest non-significant increase was in the machinery and equipment industries where output increased by 1.2 per cent. There were no significant decreases in output in the latest month.

Looking at the longer term figures, however, manufacturing output decreased by 0.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2007 compared with the fourth quarter of 2006, with decreases in ten out of the 13 sub-sectors and increases in three sub-sectors in the quarter.

There were widespread decreases in output in the quarter with a significant decrease of 1.5 per cent in the transport equipment industries. There was also a significant increase of 2.1 per cent in the machinery and equipment industries during the latest quarter.

Overall production output remained broadly unchanged in the first quarter of 2007. While manufacturing output decreased by 0.3 per cent, there were increases of 1.3 per cent in energy supply sector output and 1.3 per cent in mining and quarrying sector output.

Separate figures released at the same time, however, show that the UK’s deficit n trade with the rest of the world widened more than expected during March, reaching its highest level since may last year. The ONS said the global goods trade cap increased to £7.05 billion from £6.95 billion in February, and greater than the £6.68 billion deficit forecast as a rise in imports outstripped growth in exports. However, the trade gap with the EU narrowed unexpectedly to £3.963 in March from £4.010 in February.

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