Manufacturing industry bounces back

Average daily output of Dutch manufacturing industry in July was more than 4 percent up on one year previously. Output growth was distinctly higher than in May and June, but lower than in the first months of this year, when the increase ranged between 5 and 6 percent. Average daily output is adjusted for the effects of working days and holidays.

Production was higher in all sectors of manufacturing industry compared to July 2006. The most substantial increase (over 7 percent) was in the wood, construction materials and furniture industry. With an increase of about 4 percent, chemicals achieved better results in July than in the previous months.

For a more reliable picture of short-term production developments, it is best to look at the production figures after correction for seasonal effects. As monthly figures are often somewhat erratic, the two-monthly average compared with the previous two-monthly average is preferred.

After correction for working days and seasonal effects, manufacturing production was nearly 1 percent higher in the period June-July than in the period April-May.

Manufacturing output