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Strong growth for SME manufacturers

Published On 7 February 2007 at 13:53:17

The small to medium sized enterprise (SME) manufacturing sector posted strong numbers in the final quarter of 2006, according to recently released figures.

Data from the PKF SME Index, which canvasses the views of 800 SMEs in the manufacturing, construction and service sectors, showed that output in the three months to the end of December stood at a figure of 55.4, up from 54.3 in the previous quarter.

With any figure above 50 denoting market expansion, the sector appears to be in good health.

New orders were also up, from 53.3 in the third quarter to 55.5 in the fourth, the fastest rate of growth for two and a half years.

Stuart Barnsdall, a PKF partner for growing business, said: "SME manufacturers remain confident and with strong market demand evident, it is clear that they should be so.

"The hiring of additional personnel reflects the increased demand and is the correct response."

SME manufacturers continued to recruit more staff as the year went on, with a figure of 52.4 recorded in the final two quarters, compared with 48.8 in the first.

 

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