SME manufacturing activity sinks at record pace

SME manufacturing output volumes fell at the fastest rate on record (since October 1988), according to the latest quarterly CBI SME Trends Survey.

The survey of 331 SME manufacturers reported that total new orders in the three months to July also declined at the quickest pace on record, reflected in the fastest falls on record in both domestic and export orders. Additionally, the fall in headcounts in the three months to July broadly matched the record decline seen during the financial crisis (in April 2009).

However, business sentiment in the quarter to July improved slightly, following its record pace of decline in April, while export sentiment fell at a much slower pace.

Looking ahead, firms expect output to recover at a slow pace in the next three months. Total new orders are anticipated to be roughly unchanged, with domestic orders expected to be flat and export orders anticipated to fall at a significantly slower pace. But manufacturers expect headcounts to decline at a slightly faster pace next quarter.

Investment expectations for the next year remained poor, with the share of firms citing uncertainty about demand, cash-flow related concerns, and labour shortages as factors to limit capital expenditure rising to survey record highs.

Alpesh Paleja, CBI Lead Economist, said:
“SME manufacturers faced an exceptionally challenging quarter due to the COVID-19 crisis. While firms believe that the worst of the downturn is behind them, ongoing cashflow issues and tough trading conditions mean that they aren’t back on their feet yet. Expectations of another heavy fall in headcounts is a sign of what is to come.

“It’s clear that firms need more immediate support, from grants to further business rates relief, to tide them over until demand conditions improve more substantially.

“SME manufacturers are also dealing with an additional layer of uncertainty from the prospect of leaving the EU without a trade deal. Alongside driving a sustainable recovery, securing an ambitious deal with the EU will be essential to shielding firms from a further economic shock, at a time when they are least equipped to cope.”

Key findings:

• Output volumes in the three months to July (-53%) fell at the fastest rate on survey record (since October 1988). Firms expect output recover slightly in the next three months (+9%).
• Total new orders in the three months to July (-56%) declined at the quickest pace on survey record (since October 1988), reflected in the fastest falls on record in both domestic and export orders (-64% and -55%, respectively).
• Looking ahead, manufacturers expect total new orders to be roughly unchanged in the next three months (+1%). Domestic orders are anticipated to be roughly flat (+2%), while export orders are expected to fall at a slower pace (-23%).
• The fall in headcounts in the three months to July (-43%) broadly matched the record decline seen in April 2009 (-44), and firms expect numbers employed to decline at a slightly quicker rate next quarter (-47%).
• Business sentiment in the quarter to July (+9%) improved slightly, following its fastest decline on record in April (-81%). Export sentiment (-26%) fell at a slower pace than its record drop last quarter (-80%).
• Manufacturers expect investment in buildings (-51%), plant & machinery (-42%), and product & process innovation (-7%) to decline in the next year, but to a lesser extent than last quarter. Capital expenditure in training & retraining (-25) is anticipated to fall in the year ahead, with expectations similar to those in the previous quarter.
• The share of firms citing orders or sales as a factor likely to limit output in the next quarter rose to its highest (87%) since April 1999.
• The share of firms citing uncertainty about demand (75%), inadequate net return (47%), internal finance shortages (38%), inability to raise external finance (29%), and labour shortages (33%) as factors to limit capital expenditure over the next year rose to survey record highs.