Strong demand is good news for manufacturers

THE environment facing Irish manufacturers continued to improve during December thanks to stronger demand and greater exports to Britain and Europe, according to figures published yesterday.

The monthly Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), which measures conditions affecting businesses, found both manufacturing output and the level of new orders picked up last month, while the overall index registered its highest level since August.

NCB Stockbrokers, which conducts the survey of purchasing managers across the manufacturing sector, said the index came in at 53.1 in December.