Manufacturing production off 6%

PRODUCTION volumes within Ireland’s manufacturing industries are expected to be lower this year than in 2010.

Earlier this year, forecasts were made for a 3%-5% annual increase in volume levels for 2011.

The latest monthly industrial production and turnover data — published yesterday by the CSO — showed a 6% year-on-year fall in production in July; the high-tech-based “modern” sector suffered a 7.3% year-on-year decline and the traditional sector saw a like-for-like fall of 3.8%.