New manufacturing orders 'highest since 2011'

In the three months to January 2014, the organisation says domestic orders rose, uncertainty about demand fell and investment intentions for the year ahead picked up. The survey of 367 manufacturers found that growth in total order books and domestic orders was the most rapid since April 2011. Output growth remained solid, albeit slightly lower than that recorded in November and December. Looking ahead, it seems manufacturers are optimistic about continued expansion in the next quarter, with expectations of growth in new orders at its strongest since April 2012. Manufacturing companies are also increasingly confident in the recovery, says CBI, which is feeding through to investment plans. Stephen Gifford, pictured, CBI director of economics, said: "The recovery in the manufacturing sector is continuing to build and confidence has improved. Growth in the volume of total new orders has reached its highest rate since April 2011, and this is encouraging." However, Gifford warned that now was 'not the time to relax and take our foot off the gas'. He continued: "There are still risks ahead and our manufacturers need help to break into high growth export markets."