Metal product manufacturing forges ahead

After adjusting for seasonal effects, the volume of all manufacturing rose 0.7 percent for the March 2012 quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today.

"The main contributor to this quarter's increase was the metal product manufacturing industry," industry and labour statistics manager Blair Cardno said.

"However, despite a 7.0 percent increase, this industry is still trending below levels of three to four years ago."

Half of the other 12 manufacturing industries also recorded increases this quarter.

The trend for the manufacturing sales volume, which gives a longer-term picture of movements, indicates manufacturing volumes have been fluctuating around the same level for three years.

See also:
Economic Survey of Manufacturing: March 2012 quarter  –  Information release