The Manufacturing Technologies Association's latest monthly members' survey shows a positive swing in the number of manufacturing technology companies hiring new staff.
Nearly 25% of respondents reported an increase in employment compared to last month, the strongest balance for this question since the survey started nearly two years ago.
MTA member Renishaw has recently reported that they have nearly 250 vacancies in the group – just one illustration of what the surveys are telling us about an improving employment situation in the manufacturing technologies sector.
Net order intake recorded a month-on-month increase in February too (growing by 12%), with this continued growth recording a new high for this measure. And, although invoiced sales were slightly lower than in January, the actual results show that the majority of companies reported an increase of at least 20% in invoiced sales.
MTA director general, Graham Dewhurst, said: “The results from our February survey are very encouraging, particularly in terms of employment in the sector. After a sustained period of low or no recruitment, healthy looking order books are enabling manufacturers to invest back into the workforce.”
The survey finds that business confidence is running at a high level, buoyed by the high level of inquiries which was significantly greater than in January, and at its highest level since June 2010.
