Wow, it is hard to ignore some of the figures coming out of Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking's Manufacturing Barometer.

I am firmly entrenched within building products and read a lot around negative impacts surrounding manufacturing of late.  Rather compellingly, of more than 240 manufacturing firms interviewed for this barometer, some of the key highlights include:

 -  52% expect to increase staff numbers this year

 - 84% expect to award pay rises

 - 47% expect a rise in business activity

 - 52% felt more optimistic about the economy (only 19%, in contrast, are pessimistic)

  - Anything over 50 within the IHS Markit / CIPS manufacturing PMI is deemed to point towards significant growth.  This figure currently stands at 55.1

 - Feedback points towards a good number of manufacturers looking to further invest into new markets and exporting activity.

Viva Great British manufacturing!