The sales value of the Manufacturing sector in October 2015 increased by 6.5% (RM3.5 billion) to record RM58.6 billion as compared to RM55.1 billion reported a year ago (Chart 1). Meanwhile, month-on-month basis, the sales value increased by 0.3% (RM0.1 billion) compared with the preceding month. The sales value in September 2015 remain unchanged.

On a seasonally adjusted month-on-month, the sales value in October 2015 decreased by 0.01%.

Year-on-year, the increase in sales value in October 2015 was due to the increase in 73 of 138 industries surveyed. Table A shows the five (5) main industries that recorded increase in sales value on yearly basis.

2,673.7

4,284.0

1,610.3

60.2

4,977.1

6,280.8

1,303.7

26.2

2,724.5

3,842.7

1,118.2

41.0

1,871.3

2,254.4

383.1

20.5

2,481.9

2,819.8

337.9

13.6

Total employees engaged in the Manufacturing sector in October 2015 was 1,028,147 persons, a decrease of 0.1% or 844 persons as compared to 1,028,991 persons in October 2014 (Chart 2). Meanwhile, month-on-month basis, the number of employees increased by 0.1% as compared to 1,027,154 persons in the preceding month.

The average salaries & wages paid per employee increased by 7.8% in October 2015 as compared to the same month in 2014. Meanwhile, average salaries & wages paid per employee registered RM2,972 in October 2015, an increase of 0.9% compared to previous month.

During January – October 2015,  the sales value of the Manufacturing sector increased 1.3% to register RM553.2 billion. The number of employees engaged during the period, decreased by 0.1% to register 1,028,147 persons.

Cumulatively, productivity increased by 1.4% to record RM538,010 as shown in Table B.

Sales Value (RM million)

545,844.1

553,152.9

1.3

Number of Employees

1,028,991

1,028,147

-0.1

Salaries & Wages (RM million)

28,458.7

30,012.8

5.5

Productivity (RM)

530,465

538,010

1.4