Recovery in manufacturing 'will be piecemeal'

According to the Manufacturing Institute, any upcoming recovery in manufacturing will not be felt across the industry.

These comments come after the Engineering Employers Federation and BDO Stoy Hayward released results of a survey showing that although there are some positive signs of recovery within the industry, it is likely to be slow.

The survey also pointed to previous evidence which suggested that investment intentions continue to be delayed for some time after the first green shoots appear, so management skills will be needed.

Adam Buckley, head of programmes for the Manufacturing Institute, said: "We rightly need to be cautious and mindful of the fact that many manufacturers are seeing early signs of demand that are purely based upon restocking policies."

He added that sectors such as food and drink, low carbon and environmental technology businesses and pharmaceutical, will recover quicker than the automotive and construction-related sectors.