Nearly half (46%) of 2,300 manufacturing companies questioned in a recent survey (by the British Chambers of Commerce and DHL Express) said that their export orders increased in the first quarter of 2015, compared with just 36% in the previous quarter.
In comparison, the number of service companies with increased export sales remained flat at 33%.
The survey found that 44% of manufacturers increased their workforce in the first three months of the year, and 84% of these new jobs are full-time (up from 61% in the fourth quarter of 2014).
However, the sector is still feeling the impact of the strong pound against the euro. The survey found that 55% said their ability to trade overseas had been affected by exchange rates, compared with 48% in the previous quarter and 34% in the first quarter of 2014.
John Longworth, director-general of the BCC, said that manufacturers are turning to “larger and faster-growing” export markets to improve their “growth ambitions”.
He said: “Encouragingly, the increase in export sales and orders has come about in spite of the rise in the pound against the euro over recent months — a credit to the strength and expertise of the UK’s manufacturing sector.”
He added: “Real progress towards eliminating the UK’s trade deficit remains elusive. We have to develop a pipeline of new exporters and help existing exporters break into new markets.
“Only then will the UK regain its position as a trading powerhouse and unlock future economic growth.”