Manufacturing export growth hailed

New order growth came from North America, mainland Europe, Asia, Brazil, Scandinavia and the Middle East.

However, the reading of 56.7 for the sector as a whole on the closely watched CIPS/Markit purchasing managers’ index (PMI) survey – where the 50 mark separates growth from contraction – marked a three-month low, down from 57.2 in December.

While the overall figure was lower than expected it was still above average and new exports were at their highest level since February 2011, while jobs increased for the ninth month in a row. The first month of this year saw factories churn out more goods in response to improved domestic and overseas demand.

David Noble, chief executive at the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, said: “The continued improvement in global market conditions has ushered in a broad-based and fully fledged recovery in manufacturing.”