According to the finalized survey,
- Supplier delivery times improved markedly, impacting on the headline figure.
- Purchasing activity slowed further, though the rate of decline was less than in February.
- The rate of job shedding was the most marked in three-and-a-half years, highlighting excess capacity issues plaguing the manufacturing sector.
- New orders continued to decrease, albeit at a less marked pace, with export orders falling at the slowest rate in 11 months.
- The weak demand environment pressured input prices, rising at the slowest pace since March 2023.
- Average factory gate prices declined at the fastest pace in five months. Firms attributed the decline in factory gate charges to competition for new business.
- Manufacturers were more…
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