12 Nov 2010

Signs of manufacturing demand rise

7:19 am on 12 November 2010

There are faint signs the manufacturing sector may start to expand again, following a third month of declining activity.

The BNZ-Business New Zealand Performance of Manufacturing Index rose slightly to 49.7% in October.

A reading below 50 points suggests the sector is contracting.

Manufacturing New Zealand executive director Catherine Beard firms have signalled demand may be picking up after a flat patch.

She says companies report expansion in employment and new orders.