MANUFACTURERS in Yorkshire & the Humber have seen a strong performance at the end of the year, according to the latest quarterly Manufacturing Outlook survey from Make UK and business advisory firm BDO.

According to the survey, total orders in the region performed strongly at +38 per cent which is a strong figure by historical standards.

The figure was buoyed by strong domestic orders, although overseas orders also remained strong as a reflection of world markets which have rebounded throughout the course of the year.

The region has benefitted in the second half of the year from a strong recovery in the food and drink sector as hospitality has re-opened, while demand for steel has remained very high on the back of significant investment in infrastructure projects in the UK and abroad.

This performance is reflected in the jobs outlook across the region which is above the national average as companies hire to meet demand. Investment intentions are also above the national average, perhaps in response to the Chancellor’s decision to extend the Annual Investment Allowance in the Autumn statement.

The big challenge for companies, in addition, to attracting and retaining talent remains the escalating inflationary pressures which are forcing companies to raise prices, in many cases significantly.