SME manufactures see activity plunge sharply due to COVID-19 crisis - CBI

SME manufacturing output fell at the quickest pace in over a decade in the quarter to April, according to the latest CBI SME Trends Survey. This sharp fall is largely attributable to the COVID-19 crisis, with over four out of five firms noting that the measures to contain the outbreak had a negative impact on their domestic output.

The survey of 301 SME manufacturers reported that total new orders in the three months to April fell at the fastest rate in seven years. Domestic orders fell at broadly the same pace as the previous quarter, while export orders dropped at their quickest rate since October 2015.

Chiming with weak activity this quarter, business sentiment in the quarter to April dropped by its fastest on record. Export sentiment also fell at a survey-record pace.

Looking ahead, manufacturers expect output to plunge at a faster pace next quarter, marking the weakest expectations on record (since 1988). Both new domestic and export orders are anticipated to contract at a much faster pace next quarter, also constituting the weakest expectations on record.

Investment expectations for the next year for buildings and plant & machinery deteriorated to survey-record lows, as a record high proportion of firms reported uncertainty about demand as a factor to limit future investment.

Headcount in the quarter to April fell at its quickest pace since October 2009. Firms expect employment to fall at a much faster pace next quarter, marking the weakest expectations on record.

Additional questions added to the survey in relation to COVID-19 revealed that:

• Over four out of five of firms have seen a negative impact on their domestic output
• Around two-thirds of firms have seen a negative impact on international output
• Just over half of firms have partially shutdown/closed UK production/activity
• A little over half of firms mentioned that they temporarily laid off staff, compared with 9% reporting permanent layoffs.
• Three-quarters of firms faced cash flow difficulties.

Alpesh Paleja, CBI Lead Economist, said:

“SME manufacturers are seeing a sharp shock to activity due to the COVID-19 outbreak, with expectations signalling a sharper downturn to come. Nonetheless, manufacturers are doing all they can to support communities and employees during this difficult time.

“The government’s support schemes have been a real lifeline for businesses so far, and they should remain conscious of getting money to those who need it quickly. This will be a critical step to restarting the economy once it is safe to do so, which will require a strong partnership between government and business."

Key findings:

• Output volumes in the quarter to April fell at the quickest pace since October 2009 (-14% from -7% in January). Manufacturers expect output to contract at a considerably faster pace next quarter (-73%), marking the weakest expectations on record (since 1988).
• Total new orders in the three months to April fell at the fastest rate since April 2013 (-13% from -7% in January). Domestic orders fell at a broadly similar pace to January (-9% from -7%), while export orders dropped at the quickest pace since October 2015 (-23% from -1%).
• Looking ahead, total new orders are anticipated to contract at a much faster pace (-76%), reflected in quicker drops in domestic (-74%) and export orders (-71%). These constitute the weakest expectations on record (since 1988).
• Headcount in the quarter to April fell at their quickest pace since October 2009 (-14% from -8% in January). Firms expect employment to fall at a much faster pace next quarter (-56%), marking the weakest expectations on record.
• Business sentiment in the quarter to April dropped by its fastest on record (-81% from +32% in January). Export sentiment also fell at a survey-record pace (-80% from +7%).
• Investment intentions for the next year worsened across tangible and intangible investment categories. Expectations for buildings (-63%) and plant & machinery (-64%) deteriorated to survey-record lows.
• The share of firms citing uncertainty about demand as a factor to limit capital expenditure rose to a survey-record high (72%).
• The share of firms working below capacity rose to its highest on record (76%)
• The share of firms citing credit or finance as a factor to limit output rose to its highest on record (18%).
• The proportion of firms citing political/economic conditions abroad as a factor to limit export orders also rose to a survey-record high (72%). Meanwhile, the share citing prices as a factor to limit export orders dropped to a survey-record low (16%).

Additional questions added to the survey in relation to COVID-19 revealed that:

• 83% of firms have seen a negative impact on their domestic output
• 65% of firms have seen a negative impact on international output
• 53% of firms have partially shutdown or closed UK production/activity
• 52% of firms mentioned that they temporarily laid off staff, compared with 9% reporting permanent layoffs.
• 75% of firms have faced cash flow difficulties.

5 May 2020

Notes to Editors:

The April 2020 CBI Quarterly SME Trends Survey was conducted between 25 March and 14 April, and 301 SME manufacturers responded.

Across the UK, the CBI speaks on behalf of 190,000 businesses of all sizes and sectors. The CBI’s corporate members together employ nearly 7 million people, about one third of private sector-employees. With offices in the UK as well as representation in Brussels, Washington, Beijing and Delhi, the CBI communicates the British business voice around the world.

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