Manufacturing output up 6.7% in April

Thanks to the strong output from the electronics cluster.

Singapore's manufacturing output recorded a growth of 6.7% in April, boosted by electronics cluster which offset slumps in four sectors.

According to the Singapore Economic Development Board(EDB), the electronics cluster registered an increase of 48%, thanks to higher yields from all segments except for the data storage segment. Semiconductors posted the highest growth at 69.1%.

This pulled up the weak output growth from other sectors especially the biomedical industries, whose output sank 23.3% because of lower production of pharmaceutical ingredients. Excluding this segment, overall manufacturing growth would have grown by 15.5%.

Here's how the other sectors performed in April:

Output of the precision engineering cluster grew 15.7% year-on-year in April 2017. The machinery & systems segment grew 23.1%, on the back of higher export demand for semiconductor related equipment. Output of the precision modules & components segment increased 2.9% with higher production of dies, moulds, tools, jigs & fixture, optical instruments and metal precision parts. On a year-to-date basis, output of the precision engineering cluster rose 19.3%.

The chemicals cluster’s output fell 1.8% on a year-on-year basis in April 2017. The petroleum and specialties segments registered gains of 10.7% and 4.1% respectively. On the other hand, the petrochemicals segment fell 6.7% due to some maintenance shut down. The other chemicals segment contracted 5.5% with lower output of fragrances. In the first four months of this year, output of the chemicals cluster increased 1.7% compared to the same period in 2016. 

Output of the general manufacturing industries cluster fell 11.0% in April 2017 on a year-on-year basis. While the food, beverages & tobacco segment inched up 0.1%, the printing and miscellaneous industries segments fell 16.3% and 21.0% respectively. The miscellaneous industries segment recorded lower production of fibreglass products, metal doors, windows, grilles & gratings and other construction related materials. On a year-to-date basis, output of the general manufacturing industries cluster fell 7.6%.

The transport engineering cluster’s output contracted 14.5% year-on-year in April 2017. The land transport and aerospace segments registered output growth of 10.1% and 5.0% respectively, while the marine & offshore engineering segment recorded a decline of 30.5%. The marine & offshore engineering segment remained weak with a low level of rig-building activity and lackluster demand for oilfield & gasfield equipment. Additionally, the segment also recorded lower output in shipbuilding and repair jobs. The transport engineering cluster decreased 12.0% in the first four months of 2017 compared to the same period last year.