West Midlands businesses increasing sales despite industry downturn

Small and medium-sized manufacturers in the West Midlands are still reporting increased sales and predicting future growth despite recent reports of an industry downturn.

Orders have grown in the last six months for 43 per cent of regional respondents to the latest Manufacturing Advisory Service National Barometer and 45 per cent anticipate a further upturn between now and the end of the year.

More than 100 West Midlands companies took part and just over a third are looking to create new jobs, 49 per cent expect the size of their workforce to stay the same and 85 per cent are looking to boost their turnover through exporting in the next 18 months.

The number of companies considering investing in new machinery and premises over the next six months is also down from 56 to 43 per cent.

MAS supply chin specialist for the West Midlands, Rachel Eade, said: "The results are still showing positive signs of growth and expansion, although there are indications among SME manufacturers in the West Midlands of a more cautious outlook going forward.

"This is not unexpected when you consider the recent economic forecasts."

BSC (Diecasting), which employs 82 people at its factory in Bloxwich, was one of the companies questioned. The zinc and aluminium pressure diecaster has seen turnover more than double to £5.6m in the last year, creating 20 jobs in the process.

Chairman Mark Nunan, said: "Over £2m in new contracts have been secured and these involve supplying high quality finished parts to the brewing, hydraulics and automotive sectors.

"We've also enjoyed success overseas with export levels now at 15 per cent and, ideally, heading towards 30 per cent by the end of 2013."