ARTICLE DESCRIPTION: SME manufacturing businesses are weathering the downturn surprisingly well and even increasing in size, according to major new research carried out by Kingston University into the SME sector.

MORE INFO: Manufacturing Businesses on the Up SME manufacturing businesses are weathering the downturn surprisingly well and even increasing in size, according to major new research carried out by Kingston University into the SME sector. The research shows that over 56% of manufacturing businesses have grown in the last 3 years taking into account their value of sales. In addition over 64% of these businesses have expanded by employing new personnel. This makes manufacturing business's one of the largest SMEemployers and of those sectors researched with an average of 19 staff of which 87% are full time, the manufacturing business of the 21st century is thriving under the ownership of individuals who have a positive outlook on the future and are looking to grow their business. Their performance is significant, contrasting with the less rosy picture currently coming from many of the large corporates. Kingston Smith www.kingstonsmith.co.uk

PUBLISHER: Institute of Operations Management

Page number: 8 Word count: 150

Vol 28 - No 10 - December 2002/January 2003

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