Manufacturing demand weakens but employment increases 

Survey points to broadly stable though subdued business conditions in the sector

The main positive from the October survey was a renewed increase in manufacturing employment. Picture: iStock

The Irish manufacturing sector entered the final quarter of 2020 with demand continuing to weaken according to the latest AIB Purchasing Managers Index (PMI).

A slight rise in employment was the main positive from the October survey findings, while output was broadly stable following September's renewed fall. Firms cut purchasing activity at a faster rate as they continued to deplete inventories. The 12-month outlook remained positive but was the weakest since May.