Manufacturing sector grows at the slowest rate since March

Manufacturing production is still expanding at a rapid pace, with new orders recording another marked rise

Capacity constraints are still very evident in the sector with backlogs of unfinished work continuing to rise sharply. Picture: iStock

Irish manufacturing output grew at its slowest rate since March as manufacturers reported a further build-up in outstanding business.

Output and new orders both rose at the weakest rates in nine months with a further modest rise in exports weighing on total demand. Suppliers' delivery times lengthened markedly and cost pressures remained elevated overall despite some easing of input price inflation during December.