The sales value of the Manufacturing sector in April 2015 decreased by 0.6% (RM0.4 billion) to record RM52.9 billion as compared to RM53.3 billion reported a year ago (see Chart 1). Meanwhile, month-on-month basis, the sales value decreased by 9.3% (RM5.5 billion) compared with the preceding month. The sales value in March 2015 has been revised based on latest data available.

On a seasonally adjusted month-on-month, the sales value in April 2015 decreased by 5.0%.

Year-on-year, the decrease in sales value in April 2015 was due to the decrease in 41 of 138 industries surveyed. Table A shows the five (5) main industries that recorded decrease in sales value on yearly basis.

12,481.9

9,172.8

3,309.1

26.5

763.9

646.6

117.3

15.3

1,541.0

1,445.8

95.2

6.2

826.2

741.4

84.8

10.3

2,304.8

2,221.0

83.8

3.6

Total employees engaged in the Manufacturing sector in April 2015 was 1,029,255 persons, an increase of 0.2% or 2,154 persons as compared to 1,027,101 persons in April 2014 (see Chart 2). Meanwhile, month-on-month basis, the number of employees decreased marginally as compared to 1,029,352 persons in the preceding month.

The average salaries & wages paid per employee increased by 3.4% in April 2015 as compared to the same month in 2014. Meanwhile, average salaries & wages per employee registered RM2,881 in April 2015, a decrease of 3.8% compared to previous month.

During January – April 2015,  the sales value of the Manufacturing sector rose by 1.1% to register RM220.6 billion. The number of employees engaged during the period, increased by 0.2% to register 1,029,255 persons.

Cumulatively, productivity increased by 0.9% to record RM214,348 as shown in Table B.

218,291.6

220,619.1

1.1

1,027,101

1,029,255

0.2

11,391.6

12,006.5

5.4

212,532

214,348

0.9