Manufacturing firms upbeat

The UK’s small and medium sized manufacturers are flying – despite Europe's crisis and sluggish growth forecasts.

The government’s Manufacturing Advisory Service has unveiled its first survey on the manufacturing sector today, with more than half of respondents reporting turnover up in the last six months.

It also found 60% were expecting further growth by the end of the year.

The Manufacturing Advisory Service National Barometer, which surveys 610 businesses with more than 26,000 employees in total, also found 41% of companies are planning to take on staff in the coming year with another 50% expecting employee numbers to remain the same despite difficult economic conditions.

MAS is funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Simon Griffiths, MAS area director for North and West said interest from overseas companies to source from England has helped boost the figures. He said: “This is the clearest indication yet that our manufacturers are enjoying increases in sales and they expect this trend to continue.”