Manufacturing output picks up as year comes to an end

Output expanded in 15 out of 17 sub-sectors, with growth driven predominantly by the food, drink, tobacco, mechanical engineering, and chemicals sub-sectors. However, firms expect output growth to slow somewhat over the next three months.

Total order books remained firm in December, staying well above their long run average. Export order books improved noticeably and are now at their strongest since January this year.    

Expectations for output price inflation were slightly higher this month, above the long run average. However, they remain below the highs seen at the turn of 2018. At the same time, the level of stocks was reported to be broadly adequate, having generally remained at this level since July.

While UK manufacturers should continue to be supported by firm global economic growth and a low sterling exchange rate, subdued domestic momentum and ongoing Brexit uncertainty will pose headwinds to manufacturing activity.

Anna Leach, CBI Head of Economic Intelligence, said: "The UK's manufacturing sector enters the Christmas period with a small upswing, with output growth gathering further pace. The firming in exports orders is also particularly welcome.

"But uncertainty over Brexit still casts a long shadow over this sector and the rest of the economy. Politicians must finally stop the endless infighting and come together to secure a workable solution, or we're in danger of edging closer to a no-deal Brexit.”

Tom Crotty, Group Director of INEOS and Chair of the CBI’s Manufacturing Council, said: “It is encouraging to see the resilience of the UK’s manufacturing sector shining through as we approach the end of a difficult year. However, firms are under no illusion that a failure by the government to secure a viable Brexit solution would bring further uncertainty in 2019.

“The government could bring some Christmas cheer to the manufacturing sector by delivering on a Brexit deal that achieves continued frictionless trade with the EU and a transition period.”

Key findings:

• 28% of manufacturers reported total order books as above normal, and 20% said they were below normal, giving a balance of +8%. This was above the long-run average (-13%) and broadly similar to that in November (+10%)
• 27% of firms reported their export order books were above normal, and 13% said they were below normal, giving a balance of +14% – above the long-run average of -17%, and the highest since January 2018 (+19%)
• 40% of firms said the volume of output over the past three months was up, 17% said it was down, giving a balance of +23%. This exceeded the historic average (+4%) and marked a further pick-up in growth from November (+18%)
• 32% of manufacturers expect output to grow over the next three months and 18% expect it to decrease, giving a balance of +14%
• Expectations for growth in average selling prices for the next quarter (+14%) were higher than in November (+9%)
• 15% of firms said their present stocks of finished goods were more than adequate, while 17% said they were less than adequate, giving a balance of -2%, below the long -run average (13%)