The sales value of the Manufacturing sector in March 2015 increased by 4.4% (RM2.5 billion) to record RM58.4 billion as compared to RM55.9 billion reported a year ago. Meanwhile, month-on-month basis, the sales value has increased by 12.1% (RM6.3 billion) compared with the preceding month. The sales value in February 2015 has been revised based on latest data available.

On a seasonally adjusted month-on-month, the sales value in March 2015 decreased by 1.2%.

Year-on-year, the increase in sales value in March 2015 was due to the increase in 76 of 138 industries surveyed. Table A shows the five (5) main industries that recorded increase in sales value on yearly basis.

5,170.0

6,063.3

893.3

17.3

3,011.9

3,600.1

588.2

19.5

762.8

1,044.5

281.7

36.9

2,877.6

3,153.1

275.5

9.6

2,173.4

2,402.4

229.0

10.5

Total employees engaged in the Manufacturing sector in March 2015 was 1,029,352 persons, an increase of 0.4% or 4,255 persons as compared to 1,025,097 persons in March 2014. Meanwhile, month-on-month basis, the number of employees decreased by 0.1% compared with the preceding month.

The average salaries & wages paid per employee increased by 6.0% in March 2015 as compared to the same month in 2014. Meanwhile, average salaries & wages per employee registered RM2,994 in March 2015, an increase of 3.7% compared to previous month.

During January – March 2015,  the sales value of the Manufacturing sector rose by 1.6% to register RM167.7 billion. The number of employees engaged during the period, increased by 0.4% to register 1,029,352 persons.

Cumulatively, productivity has increased by 1.2% to record RM162,888 as shown in Table B.

165,020.7

167,669.2

1.6

1,025,097

1,029,352

0.4

8,529.9

9,041.3

6.0

160,981

162,888

1.2