Figures released this morning show that the manufacturing sector expanded at its fastest pace for more than six years last month.
The NCB Purchasing Managers' Index recorded 55.4, up from 55.1 in May and the highest level since May 2000. Any figure above 50 signals growth.
NCB economist Dermot O'Brien said the figures showed that the recovery in manufacturing was now well established, with activity, new orders and employment all rising at the fastest rates in six years.
A sharp rise in new orders was supported by the third successive monthly increase in new export business. The cost inflation index again rose sharply, with firms citing higher oil and metals costs. This led to the sharpest climb in prices charges by firms since September 2002.
The employment index also showed the best performance in six years, with more than 20% of companies indicating that staffing levels had increased since May.
