MANUFACTURING is hitting back.
For the first time in more than a year firms have reported an increase in sales to UK customers according to the North West Chambers of Commerce quarterly survey which East Lancashire firms contribute to.
"Overall the story this quarter is of a slight but significant improvement for manufacturers with many of the key indicators showing a positive increase of at worst a slow down in the rate of decline," said Sam Jones, chairman of the North West Chambers Economic Committee.
Employment levels in manufacturing rose for the first since June 1998 but some firms reported problems finding skilled and semi skilled manual workers.
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