In Q1 2011, global demand as export demand adressed to business leaders remained dynamic: the corresponding balance, although edging down, stays above its long-term average. The global demand outlook remains stable, while export demand outlook declines slightly. They both remain however above their long-term average.
Production capacity was used in Q1 2011 as the same rate in Q4 2010: the proportion of businesses encountering production bottlenecks stabilizes above its long-term average.
According to the business leaders the industrial manpower has continued to increase in Q1 2011 : the corresponding balance stands at its highest level for three years. The industrial manpower could increase again in Q2 2011.
Recent changes in demand

Workforce in manufacturing industry

Competitive position

| Balance of opinion, s.a, in % | |||||
| * : Long period average. | |||||
| Source : Quarterly business survey - INSEE | |||||
| Manufacturing industry | MOY* | Jul. 10 | Oct. 10 | Jan. 11 | Apr. 11 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total demand | |||||
| Recent changes | 1 | 21 | 14 | 29 | 21 |
| Expected change | 1 | –2 | 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Export demand | |||||
| Recent changes | 3 | 19 | 23 | 26 | 36 |
| Expected change | 5 | 3 | 17 | 23 | 16 |
| Production factors | |||||
| Share of firms producing at full capacity (in%) | 22 | 22 | 29 | 28 | 28 |
| Opinion on production capacity | 14 | 15 | 21 | 17 | 7 |
| Productive capacity utilization rate (in %) | 85 | 77 | 79 | 80 | 81 |
| Difficulties of supply and demand | |||||
| Difficulties of supply and demand | 6 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Difficulties of supply | 20 | 22 | 17 | 22 | 25 |
| Difficulties of demand | 43 | 45 | 47 | 33 | 29 |
n° 100 - April 22, 2011
Quarterly business survey (goods-producing industries) - April 2011
Next issue July 23, 2013 08:45 - July 2013
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