Manufacturers’ product sales rise

The ONS said: "The 2013 increase is a continuation of the recovery in manufacturers' values of sales seen since 2009. In current prices, UK manufacturers' product sales were 7% higher in 2013 than they were in 2008, at the start of the economic downturn." The ONS added that the UK contributed between 5% and 10% of total EU manufacturers' product sales, a similar proportion to Spain. It said Germany accounted for over a quarter of all EU manufacturers' sales, while France and Italy were the only other Member States that contribute more than 10% of total EU-27 manufacturers' sales. It said: "The manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers, and semi-trailers was the industry which contributed most to the growth in the value of product sales in 2013. The manufacture of transport equipment and the manufacture of food products (Division 10) were also key drivers. Growths and reductions in all other industries were of lower magnitude and largely offset each other." Diesel engine cars with engines between 1.5L and 2.5L was the product that showed the largest year-on-year value increase, with product sales more than £4 billion higher than 2012. The top 10 products based on sales value include products from the motor vehicle, aircraft, other transport, pharmaceutical, drinks, and repair of machinery industries.