Small and medium-sized (SME) manufacturers’ output grew over the last three months according to the CBI’s latest SME Trends Survey.

The survey shows that demand for the goods made by the 406 manufacturers surveyed was stronger at home than abroad.

Domestic orders rose for the fifth quarter in a row in the three months to October, while export orders fell sharply, despite firms expecting modest improvement.

Prospects for the next three months are better. Firms predict export orders will stabilise and domestic orders will continue to grow.

There was more good news on jobs, with numbers employed rising briskly for the third quarter in a row. And, employment is expected to go on rising over the next three months, though at a slightly slower pace.

Fears that a lack of skilled workers will hold back firms’ ability to meet demand reduced, though concern is still above its long-run average.

Rain Newton-Smith, CBI Director of Economics, said: “It’s reassuring to see smaller manufacturers sharing in the continuing recovery, with optimism, output and jobs all rising over the last three months. Sales in the strengthening UK market are looking good but firms are finding export orders much harder to secure.

“International political instability and weak growth in the Eurozone is holding back overseas demand.

“But, sentiment is still improving and firms expect overall orders and output to expand at a healthier pace over the next three months.”

Key findings – three months to October

• 26% of small & medium sized enterprise (SME) manufacturers said they were more optimistic than three months ago, while 16% said they were less optimistic. The rounded balance of +9% is the weakest since July 2013 when it was also +9%

• 28% said their volume of output was up, and 19% said it was down, giving a balance of +9%, which compares with +15% in the previous quarter.

• 36% said their domestic orders were up, while 22% said they were down, a balance of +14%                       

• 12% said export orders rose over the past three months, 26% said they fell, leaving a rounded balance of -13% the weakest since October 2012 when the balance was -21%

• The balance for expected export orders over the next three months was +4% and for expected domestic orders was +17%

• 29% are employing more people than three months ago, 12% less. The resulting balance of +17% compares with +24% in the three months to July

• The balance for employment expectations over the next three months is +10%

Small and medium-sized (SME) manufacturers’ output grew over the last three months according to the CBI’s latest SME Trends Survey.

The survey shows that demand for the goods made by the 406 manufacturers surveyed was stronger at home than abroad.

Domestic orders rose for the fifth quarter in a row in the three months to October, while export orders fell sharply, despite firms expecting modest improvement.

Prospects for the next three months are better. Firms predict export orders will stabilise and domestic orders will continue to grow.

There was more good news on jobs, with numbers employed rising briskly for the third quarter in a row. And, employment is expected to go on rising over the next three months, though at a slightly slower pace.

Fears that a lack of skilled workers will hold back firms’ ability to meet demand reduced, though concern is still above its long-run average.

Rain Newton-Smith, CBI Director of Economics, said: “It’s reassuring to see smaller manufacturers sharing in the continuing recovery, with optimism, output and jobs all rising over the last three months. Sales in the strengthening UK market are looking good but firms are finding export orders much harder to secure.

“International political instability and weak growth in the Eurozone is holding back overseas demand.

“But, sentiment is still improving and firms expect overall orders and output to expand at a healthier pace over the next three months.”

Key findings – three months to October

• 26% of small & medium sized enterprise (SME) manufacturers said they were more optimistic than three months ago, while 16% said they were less optimistic. The rounded balance of +9% is the weakest since July 2013 when it was also +9%

• 28% said their volume of output was up, and 19% said it was down, giving a balance of +9%, which compares with +15% in the previous quarter.

• 36% said their domestic orders were up, while 22% said they were down, a balance of +14%                       

• 12% said export orders rose over the past three months, 26% said they fell, leaving a rounded balance of -13% the weakest since October 2012 when the balance was -21%

• The balance for expected export orders over the next three months was +4% and for expected domestic orders was +17%

• 29% are employing more people than three months ago, 12% less. The resulting balance of +17% compares with +24% in the three months to July

• The balance for employment expectations over the next three months is +10%

Small and medium-sized (SME) manufacturers’ output grew over the last three months according to the CBI’s latest SME Trends Survey.

The survey shows that demand for the goods made by the 406 manufacturers surveyed was stronger at home than abroad.

Domestic orders rose for the fifth quarter in a row in the three months to October, while export orders fell sharply, despite firms expecting modest improvement.

Prospects for the next three months are better. Firms predict export orders will stabilise and domestic orders will continue to grow.

There was more good news on jobs, with numbers employed rising briskly for the third quarter in a row. And, employment is expected to go on rising over the next three months, though at a slightly slower pace.

Fears that a lack of skilled workers will hold back firms’ ability to meet demand reduced, though concern is still above its long-run average.

Rain Newton-Smith, CBI Director of Economics, said: “It’s reassuring to see smaller manufacturers sharing in the continuing recovery, with optimism, output and jobs all rising over the last three months. Sales in the strengthening UK market are looking good but firms are finding export orders much harder to secure.

“International political instability and weak growth in the Eurozone is holding back overseas demand.

“But, sentiment is still improving and firms expect overall orders and output to expand at a healthier pace over the next three months.”

Key findings – three months to October

• 26% of small & medium sized enterprise (SME) manufacturers said they were more optimistic than three months ago, while 16% said they were less optimistic. The rounded balance of +9% is the weakest since July 2013 when it was also +9%

• 28% said their volume of output was up, and 19% said it was down, giving a balance of +9%, which compares with +15% in the previous quarter.

• 36% said their domestic orders were up, while 22% said they were down, a balance of +14%                       

• 12% said export orders rose over the past three months, 26% said they fell, leaving a rounded balance of -13% the weakest since October 2012 when the balance was -21%

• The balance for expected export orders over the next three months was +4% and for expected domestic orders was +17%

• 29% are employing more people than three months ago, 12% less. The resulting balance of +17% compares with +24% in the three months to July

• The balance for employment expectations over the next three months is +10%

Small and medium-sized (SME) manufacturers’ output grew over the last three months according to the CBI’s latest SME Trends Survey.

The survey shows that demand for the goods made by the 406 manufacturers surveyed was stronger at home than abroad.

Domestic orders rose for the fifth quarter in a row in the three months to October, while export orders fell sharply, despite firms expecting modest improvement.

Prospects for the next three months are better. Firms predict export orders will stabilise and domestic orders will continue to grow.

There was more good news on jobs, with numbers employed rising briskly for the third quarter in a row. And, employment is expected to go on rising over the next three months, though at a slightly slower pace.

Fears that a lack of skilled workers will hold back firms’ ability to meet demand reduced, though concern is still above its long-run average.

Rain Newton-Smith, CBI Director of Economics, said: “It’s reassuring to see smaller manufacturers sharing in the continuing recovery, with optimism, output and jobs all rising over the last three months. Sales in the strengthening UK market are looking good but firms are finding export orders much harder to secure.

“International political instability and weak growth in the Eurozone is holding back overseas demand.

“But, sentiment is still improving and firms expect overall orders and output to expand at a healthier pace over the next three months.”

Key findings – three months to October

• 26% of small & medium sized enterprise (SME) manufacturers said they were more optimistic than three months ago, while 16% said they were less optimistic. The rounded balance of +9% is the weakest since July 2013 when it was also +9%

• 28% said their volume of output was up, and 19% said it was down, giving a balance of +9%, which compares with +15% in the previous quarter.

• 36% said their domestic orders were up, while 22% said they were down, a balance of +14%                       

• 12% said export orders rose over the past three months, 26% said they fell, leaving a rounded balance of -13% the weakest since October 2012 when the balance was -21%

• The balance for expected export orders over the next three months was +4% and for expected domestic orders was +17%

• 29% are employing more people than three months ago, 12% less. The resulting balance of +17% compares with +24% in the three months to July

• The balance for employment expectations over the next three months is +10%

Small and medium-sized (SME) manufacturers’ output grew over the last three months according to the CBI’s latest SME Trends Survey.

The survey shows that demand for the goods made by the 406 manufacturers surveyed was stronger at home than abroad.

Domestic orders rose for the fifth quarter in a row in the three months to October, while export orders fell sharply, despite firms expecting modest improvement.

Prospects for the next three months are better. Firms predict export orders will stabilise and domestic orders will continue to grow.

There was more good news on jobs, with numbers employed rising briskly for the third quarter in a row. And, employment is expected to go on rising over the next three months, though at a slightly slower pace.

Fears that a lack of skilled workers will hold back firms’ ability to meet demand reduced, though concern is still above its long-run average.

Rain Newton-Smith, CBI Director of Economics, said: “It’s reassuring to see smaller manufacturers sharing in the continuing recovery, with optimism, output and jobs all rising over the last three months. Sales in the strengthening UK market are looking good but firms are finding export orders much harder to secure.

“International political instability and weak growth in the Eurozone is holding back overseas demand.

“But, sentiment is still improving and firms expect overall orders and output to expand at a healthier pace over the next three months.”

Key findings – three months to October

• 26% of small & medium sized enterprise (SME) manufacturers said they were more optimistic than three months ago, while 16% said they were less optimistic. The rounded balance of +9% is the weakest since July 2013 when it was also +9%

• 28% said their volume of output was up, and 19% said it was down, giving a balance of +9%, which compares with +15% in the previous quarter.

• 36% said their domestic orders were up, while 22% said they were down, a balance of +14%                       

• 12% said export orders rose over the past three months, 26% said they fell, leaving a rounded balance of -13% the weakest since October 2012 when the balance was -21%

• The balance for expected export orders over the next three months was +4% and for expected domestic orders was +17%

• 29% are employing more people than three months ago, 12% less. The resulting balance of +17% compares with +24% in the three months to July

• The balance for employment expectations over the next three months is +10%

Small and medium-sized (SME) manufacturers’ output grew over the last three months according to the CBI’s latest SME Trends Survey.

The survey shows that demand for the goods made by the 406 manufacturers surveyed was stronger at home than abroad.

Domestic orders rose for the fifth quarter in a row in the three months to October, while export orders fell sharply, despite firms expecting modest improvement.

Prospects for the next three months are better. Firms predict export orders will stabilise and domestic orders will continue to grow.

There was more good news on jobs, with numbers employed rising briskly for the third quarter in a row. And, employment is expected to go on rising over the next three months, though at a slightly slower pace.

Fears that a lack of skilled workers will hold back firms’ ability to meet demand reduced, though concern is still above its long-run average.

Rain Newton-Smith, CBI Director of Economics, said: “It’s reassuring to see smaller manufacturers sharing in the continuing recovery, with optimism, output and jobs all rising over the last three months. Sales in the strengthening UK market are looking good but firms are finding export orders much harder to secure.

“International political instability and weak growth in the Eurozone is holding back overseas demand.

“But, sentiment is still improving and firms expect overall orders and output to expand at a healthier pace over the next three months.”

Key findings – three months to October

• 26% of small & medium sized enterprise (SME) manufacturers said they were more optimistic than three months ago, while 16% said they were less optimistic. The rounded balance of +9% is the weakest since July 2013 when it was also +9%

• 28% said their volume of output was up, and 19% said it was down, giving a balance of +9%, which compares with +15% in the previous quarter.

• 36% said their domestic orders were up, while 22% said they were down, a balance of +14%                       

• 12% said export orders rose over the past three months, 26% said they fell, leaving a rounded balance of -13% the weakest since October 2012 when the balance was -21%

• The balance for expected export orders over the next three months was +4% and for expected domestic orders was +17%

• 29% are employing more people than three months ago, 12% less. The resulting balance of +17% compares with +24% in the three months to July

• The balance for employment expectations over the next three months is +10%

Small and medium-sized (SME) manufacturers’ output grew over the last three months according to the CBI’s latest SME Trends Survey.

The survey shows that demand for the goods made by the 406 manufacturers surveyed was stronger at home than abroad.

Domestic orders rose for the fifth quarter in a row in the three months to October, while export orders fell sharply, despite firms expecting modest improvement.

Prospects for the next three months are better. Firms predict export orders will stabilise and domestic orders will continue to grow.

There was more good news on jobs, with numbers employed rising briskly for the third quarter in a row. And, employment is expected to go on rising over the next three months, though at a slightly slower pace.

Fears that a lack of skilled workers will hold back firms’ ability to meet demand reduced, though concern is still above its long-run average.

Rain Newton-Smith, CBI Director of Economics, said: “It’s reassuring to see smaller manufacturers sharing in the continuing recovery, with optimism, output and jobs all rising over the last three months. Sales in the strengthening UK market are looking good but firms are finding export orders much harder to secure.

“International political instability and weak growth in the Eurozone is holding back overseas demand.

“But, sentiment is still improving and firms expect overall orders and output to expand at a healthier pace over the next three months.”

Key findings – three months to October

• 26% of small & medium sized enterprise (SME) manufacturers said they were more optimistic than three months ago, while 16% said they were less optimistic. The rounded balance of +9% is the weakest since July 2013 when it was also +9%

• 28% said their volume of output was up, and 19% said it was down, giving a balance of +9%, which compares with +15% in the previous quarter.

• 36% said their domestic orders were up, while 22% said they were down, a balance of +14%                       

• 12% said export orders rose over the past three months, 26% said they fell, leaving a rounded balance of -13% the weakest since October 2012 when the balance was -21%

• The balance for expected export orders over the next three months was +4% and for expected domestic orders was +17%

• 29% are employing more people than three months ago, 12% less. The resulting balance of +17% compares with +24% in the three months to July

• The balance for employment expectations over the next three months is +10%

Small and medium-sized (SME) manufacturers’ output grew over the last three months according to the CBI’s latest SME Trends Survey.

The survey shows that demand for the goods made by the 406 manufacturers surveyed was stronger at home than abroad.

Domestic orders rose for the fifth quarter in a row in the three months to October, while export orders fell sharply, despite firms expecting modest improvement.

Prospects for the next three months are better. Firms predict export orders will stabilise and domestic orders will continue to grow.

There was more good news on jobs, with numbers employed rising briskly for the third quarter in a row. And, employment is expected to go on rising over the next three months, though at a slightly slower pace.

Fears that a lack of skilled workers will hold back firms’ ability to meet demand reduced, though concern is still above its long-run average.

Rain Newton-Smith, CBI Director of Economics, said: “It’s reassuring to see smaller manufacturers sharing in the continuing recovery, with optimism, output and jobs all rising over the last three months. Sales in the strengthening UK market are looking good but firms are finding export orders much harder to secure.

“International political instability and weak growth in the Eurozone is holding back overseas demand.

“But, sentiment is still improving and firms expect overall orders and output to expand at a healthier pace over the next three months.”

Key findings – three months to October

• 26% of small & medium sized enterprise (SME) manufacturers said they were more optimistic than three months ago, while 16% said they were less optimistic. The rounded balance of +9% is the weakest since July 2013 when it was also +9%

• 28% said their volume of output was up, and 19% said it was down, giving a balance of +9%, which compares with +15% in the previous quarter.

• 36% said their domestic orders were up, while 22% said they were down, a balance of +14%                       

• 12% said export orders rose over the past three months, 26% said they fell, leaving a rounded balance of -13% the weakest since October 2012 when the balance was -21%

• The balance for expected export orders over the next three months was +4% and for expected domestic orders was +17%

• 29% are employing more people than three months ago, 12% less. The resulting balance of +17% compares with +24% in the three months to July

• The balance for employment expectations over the next three months is +10%

Morgan Sindall has completed and handed over a £17 million Rail Operating Centre and Infrastructure Maintenance Delivery Unit in Rugby for Network Rail.

Situated in Rugby, the new facilities provides a base from which Network Rail’s operations for the southern areas of its London North Western route will be coordinated as well as accommodating personnel and control equipment.

The London North Western route incorporates all of the West coast mainline, Chiltern Railways and the regional railways of the North West.

Built to a BREEAM standard of Very Good, the state-of-the-art three-storey building is circa 100 metres long by 25 metres wide; and only 3 metres from the West Coast Main Line. Sitting directly adjacent to Rugby train station.

The new building will house signalling and traffic management facilities to support a faster, more frequent and reliable rail service.

Richard Fielding, area director for the Midlands at Morgan Sindall, said: “The new facilities are a key part of Network Rail’s critical infrastructure and are therefore vital in keeping the trains moving safely and effectively both in the region and across the country.

“They have been built with utmost care and without causing disruption to Rugby’s rail system. We’ve delivered these facilities on budget and ahead of schedule which is a superb achievement for all those involved.”

Bristol’s Mayor, George Ferguson, has announced a shortlist of five experienced design teams for the building of 12,000 capacity Bristol Arena, located in the city’s Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone.

The announcement of the shortlisted design teams followed a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) International Design Competition that was launched in August.

Over 30 teams from across the world, expressed interest in designing the cultural venue that will be located close to Bristol Temple Meads Station and is due to open towards the end of 2017.

The multi-disciplinary teams include architects and engineers and all have experience of delivering major venues in the UK or overseas. They will now work on their design proposals for the Bristol Arena which will be submitted in January 2015.

A public exhibition of all five design proposals will take place in January prior to a decision being made in March.

Mayor George Ferguson said: “I am confident that the new arena will provide one of the very best experiences for audiences and major acts and that it will make a huge contribution to the regeneration of the Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone.

“This takes us a couple of major steps closer to a 2017 delivery of this much needed venue for the city region.”

Colin Skellet Chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership said:“The level of interest in the new arena is excellent, with a strong shortlist of design teams demonstrating the extent of the ambition.

This important development will bring economic benefits, jobs and growth to the city region.”

The Bristol Arena is due to open towards the end 2017 and will be located in the Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone.