The start of 2013 has seen auspicious news that the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for manufacturing in the UK in December increase to 51.4, reaching its highest level for 15 months and the first time since April 2012 that it has been above the break-even level of 50.
The MTA’s Statistician, Geoff Noon, reports in this week’s economic round-up that this strong end to 2012 came about because of rising output and new orders, while employment in the manufacturing sector stabilised. He adds that the improvement seems to be concentrated mainly in domestic markets, with export orders still contracting - indeed, overseas demand fell in every month of 2012 as conditions in the Euro-zone (the UK’s main trading partner) deteriorated. Outside of the EU, the PMI’s for manufacturing were generally rising in December with the most notable ones (where the index crossed the 50 threshold) being in Taiwan (50.6) and South Korea (50.1).
The MTA is on the search for outstanding achievement across the manufacturing technologies sector to be honoured in the Association’s Manufacturing Industry Awards. In this week’s Friday Brief we highlight the categories and urge you to complete your nominations before the 11 February deadline.
Opportunities to improve your management performance are being offered through six evening seminars at the University of Cambridge’s Institute for Manufacturing. This structured programme beginning in February offers practical solutions and is aimed primarily at SMEs.
Don’t forget returns are required now for the December 2012 MTA Business Survey.
Here’s looking forward to a promising year for you all.