Manufacturing orders are up and set to stay that way say the latest CBI and Manufacturing Barometer results.
According to the latest monthly CBI Industrial Trends Survey, growth in manufacturing output accelerated in the three months to November. Order books also continued to fill up, with total orders the strongest since August 1988, and export orders at the joint highest level in more than 20 years.
The latest National Manufacturing Barometer suggests that this sales growth is set to continue. An overwhelming majority of firms (61%) reported an increase in sales over the last six months, whilst 59% are confident this trend will continue - underlining the need to improve productivity, in order to deliver growth.
It is not clear how companies are to do this as just 43% of respondents said they are planning to invest in new equipment and only 40% are planning to recruit to meet future increases in sales – the lowest recruitment figure the Manufacturing Barometer has reported since 2013.
When asked how they would most like to improve productivity, most respondents to the National Manufacturing Barometer said they are prioritising smarter working practices and better utilisation of existing equipment over new equipment or automation.
However, the quarterly survey, which is conducted by SWMAS (part of Exelin Group) in partnership with Economic Growth Solutions (EGS), showed that 47% of respondents said they expected profits to grow in the next six months, while 41% have seen profits increase over the last six months.
Simon Howes, CEO of Exelin Group, commented on the findings: “This survey demonstrates that the country’s SME manufacturing sector is as robust and adaptable as ever with profits and sales continuing to increase, despite market uncertainties.
“Manufacturers clearly understand the need to improve productivity. However, with much in the news about automation and robotics, it may come as a surprise to policy makers that for many businesses the first priority is to optimise existing resources.
“The upshot is a call to action for government and support bodies to provide resources and a focus on helping manufacturers realise their existing potential and work smarter now. Getting this right will help make the case for investment in robotics and automation, which is vital if the UK is to remain competitive in the mid to long term.”
Dean Barnes, Regional Director of Economic Growth Solutions and the Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP), continued: “Increasing productivity isn’t about doing just one thing or another, it’s more about taking a whole review of the business and identifying areas where you can improve efficiencies, reduce waste and seek competitive advantage.
“This is often a combination of factors and our Manufacturing Growth Managers on the ground are working with hundreds of firms to help them achieve this. Investment in people and investment in automation shouldn’t be viewed in isolation, they are often mutually beneficial.”
Karen Friendship, Managing Director at Plymouth based metal fabricator Aldermans, was one of the respondents: “Automation is key for us, but the more immediate priority focus should be our people. It’s a quicker win. Unless we have people who are capable of making observations and taking any subsequent decisions, we lose the capacity to be productive.”
The Manufacturing Barometer is the largest survey conducted of SME manufacturers in the UK and asks senior decision makers for their views on business performance, future trends and government policy. This survey covers autumn 2017 (July, August and September 2017), with businesses surveyed in October 2017.
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To obtain a copy of the National Barometer, please email [email protected].