The sales value of the Manufacturing sector in August 2015 increased by 0.8% (RM0.4 billion) to record RM56.2 billion as compared to RM55.8 billion reported a year ago (Chart 1). Meanwhile, month-on-month basis, the sales value increased by 3.9% (RM2.1 billion) compared with the preceding month. The sales value in July 2015 has been revised based on latest data available.

On a seasonally adjusted month-on-month, the sales value in August 2015 increased by 3.6%.

Year-on-year, the increase in sales value in August 2015 was due to the increase in 72 of 138 industries surveyed. Table A shows the five (5) main industries that recorded increase in sales value on yearly basis.

2,859.1

3,746.4

31.0

2,948.0

3,680.4

732.4

24.8

5,086.0

5,802.6

716.6

14.1

533.1

731.5

198.4

37.2

1,707.2

1,883.0

175.8

10.3

Total employees engaged in the Manufacturing sector in August 2015 was 1,026,543 persons, a decrease of 0.6% or 6,704 persons as compared to 1,033,247 persons in August 2014 (Chart 2). Meanwhile, month-on-month basis, the number of employees increased by 0.3% as compared to 1,023,816 persons in the preceding month.

The average salaries & wages paid per employee increased by 5.5% in August 2015 as compared to the same month in 2014. Meanwhile, average salaries & wages paid per employee registered RM2,911 in August 2015, an increase of 0.3% compared to previous month.

During January – August 2015,  the sales value of the Manufacturing sector increased 0.2% to register RM436.0 billion. The number of employees engaged during the period, decreased by 0.6% to register 1,026,543 persons.

Cumulatively, productivity increased by 0.8% to record RM424,760 as shown in Table B.

435,294.4

436,034.4

0.2

1,033,247

1,026,534

-0.6

22,800.4

23,931.4

5.0

421,288

424,760

0.8