The long-term trend of the Purchasing Managers Index is now consistently above the 50 point mark, a clear indication that the UK's manufacturing sector is growing and in good health but, as Alan Whetstone, managing director of ERIKS UK argues, maintenance teams need to be given a share of the credit for this renaissance. There are a number of reasons for this growth. Whilst short-term factors like the oil price will have a positive impact, my own view is that the UK is now reaping the benefit of sustained investment over many years, in part fuelled by low interest rates. This has enabled manufacturers to invest in new state-of-the-art plant and machinery which has increased overall efficiency, productivity and competitiveness.
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