The sales value of the Manufacturing sector in September 2015 increased by 5.4% (RM3.0 billion) to record RM58.5 billion as compared to RM55.5 billion reported a year ago (Chart 1). Meanwhile, month-on-month basis, the sales value increased by 4.0% (RM2.3 billion) compared with the preceding month. The sales value in August 2015 remained unchanged.

On a seasonally adjusted month-on-month, the sales value in September 2015 increased by 4.4%.

Year-on-year, the increase in sales value in September 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.

2,762.1

3,990.3

44.5

5,106.4

6,112.1

19.7

2,838.9

3,843.4

1,004.5

35.4

2,004.3

2,425.5

21.0

2,331.9

2,719.0

387.1

16.6

Total employees engaged in the Manufacturing sector in September 2015 was 1,027,154 persons, a decrease of 0.4% or 3,942 persons as compared to 1,031,096 persons in September 2014 (Chart 2). Meanwhile, month-on-month basis, the number of employees increased by 0.1% as compared to 1,026,543 persons in the preceding month.

The average salaries & wages paid per employee increased by 7.6% in September 2015 as compared to the same month in 2014. Meanwhile, average salaries & wages paid per employee registered RM2,946 in September 2015, an increase of 1.2% compared to previous month.

During January – September 2015,  the sales value of the Manufacturing sector increased 0.8% to register RM494.5 billion. The number of employees engaged during the period, decreased by 0.4% to register 1,027,154 persons.

Cumulatively, productivity increased by 1.2% to record RM481,435 as shown in Table B.

490,753.3

494,507.9

0.8

1,031,096

1,027,154

-0.4

25,622.7

26,957.4

5.2

475,953

481,435

1.2