Rising demand at home and abroad is underpinning the fledgling manufacturing recovery despite the increasing strength of the pound.
The CBI's latest monthly Industrial Trends survey, published on Thursday, shows the level of order books still below normal but better than for three years. Despite a sharp rise in the value of sterling, export orders were broadly similar to the last three months and much healthier than during most of 2003.
Of the 929 manufacturers who responded, 30 per cent said orders were below normal while 15 per cent said they were above normal. The balance of minus 15 per cent compares with minus 18 per cent in January. Minus 15 per cent is the highest since January 2001 when it was minus 10 per cent.
Capital goods industries - such as those making plant and machinery - did best along with makers of intermediate goods, such as tools and components. Consumer goods - such as televisions, and clothes slipped back slightly.
