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UK small business output ''driven up by strong order books''

4 May 2011
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UK small business output ''driven up by strong order books''Both domestic and overseas orders have pushed up output among small and medium-sized manufacturers in the UK during the three months to April 2011, new figures show.

Published by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the statistics show the volume of demand at home and abroad climbed at its most rapid pace in 16 years, with a balance of plus 16 per cent of respondents to a survey reporting an increase in domestic orders and plus 23 per cent claiming exports had risen.

Employment levels grew last month among manufacturers polled, with a balance of plus 16 per cent expanding their workforces, the highest rate recorded since January 1995.

According to the organisation, cost pressures are increasing on smaller producers, creating a squeeze on profit margins, with plus 53 per cent of those questioned saying average unit costs climbed over the quarter.

Those concerned with sales and operation planning may be interested in the comment by chair of the CBI's SME Council Lucy Armstrong that: "Inflationary pressures remain a dark cloud, with rising oil and commodity prices pushing up the cost of production and eating into profit margins."

However, overall manufacturing data for April 2011 from Markit and CIPS indicated there was a slowdown over the month from 56.7 to 54.6 in the purchasing managers' index as a result of lower domestic sales growth.ADNFCR-3058-ID-800518909-ADNFCR
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