According to the national manufacturing barometer survey carried out by the Manufacturing Advisory Service, many companies are planning to take on staff and increase their investments in machinery, as published in Professional Engineering recently.

UK manufacturers have seen an increase in demand over the last few years, resulting in increasing sales, creating jobs and investing more as confidence in the future continues. More than half of respondents, 54%, said they had seen turnover rise in the past six months, and 60% of these respondents said they expected further growth between now and the end of the year.

The quarterly survey also revealed that 41% of companies are planning to take on staff in the coming year, with another 50% expecting employee numbers to remain the same.

Critical to the growth of such companies is the availability of skilled staff in an increasingly limited talent pool. Technical and engineering recruitment specialists, Omega Resource Group, have seen a sharp increase in the number of clients looking to recruit across the whole skill spectrum.

Simon Griffiths, Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) area director for the North and West, commented on the report findings: “This is the clearest indication yet that our manufacturers are enjoying increases in sales and, reassuringly, they expect this trend to continue.

“Investment by the major original equipment manufacturers and interest from overseas companies to source from England has helped facilitate demand.”

He continued: “The barometer survey includes the views of manufacturers from all sectors and, against the backdrop of improvements in turnover, is showing a renewed commitment to create jobs. 

“The report also revealed that 44% of companies are planning to increase their spending on premises and machinery, while 35% plan to invest in developing new technology which will help them remain ahead of global competition.

Further findings show that 77% of companies said they recognise the need for supply chain improvements.

More than 610 businesses representing more than 26,000 employees responded to the MAS barometer survey.

Companies wishing to take part in the next MAS barometer survey can find out more by visiting the MAS website www.mymas.org.