MANUFACTURERS in Yorkshire & the Humber have seen a strong performance at the start 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 a positive balance +65 per cent - the highest figure for any UK region and almost double the level of total orders seen in the final quarter of last year.

The figure was buoyed by strong domestic orders, although overseas orders remained strong as a reflection of world markets which have rebounded throughout the last 12 months.

The region has benefitted in the last year from a strong recovery in the food and drink sector as hospitality has fully re-opened, while demand for steel has remained 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 with the second highest level of recruitment intentions in the UK as companies hire to meet demand.

The big challenge for companies, in addition to attracting and retaining talent, remains the escalating inflationary pressures which are forcing companies to raise prices at record levels for the fifth successive quarter.