In Q1 2012, global and export demand adressed to business leaders increased: the corresponding balances go up and are above their long-term average. For Q2 2012, the global demand outlook improves, whereas the export demand outlook deteriorates.
Production capacity was used in Q1 2012 as the same rate in Q4 2011: the proportion of businesses encountering production bottlenecks is still above its long-term average.
According to the business leaders, the industrial manpower stopped to slow down in Q1 2012 : the corresponding balance is steady and remains above its long-term average. The industrial manpower could slightly increase in Q2 2012.
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. 11 | Oct. 11 | Jan. 12 | April 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total demand | |||||
| Recent changes | 1 | 16 | 1 | –8 | 3 |
| Expected change | 1 | 7 | –6 | –5 | 4 |
| Export demand | |||||
| Recent changes | 3 | 16 | –1 | –8 | 8 |
| Expected change | 4 | 14 | –4 | 5 | –6 |
| Production factors | |||||
| Share of firms producing at full capacity (in%) | 22 | 25 | 33 | 26 | 26 |
| Opinion on production capacity | 14 | 5 | 9 | 17 | 26 |
| Productive capacity utilization rate (in %) | 85 | 83 | 83 | 81 | 81 |
| Difficulties of supply and demand | |||||
| Difficulties of supply and demand | 7 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 9 |
| Difficulties of supply | 20 | 29 | 26 | 14 | 14 |
| Difficulties of demand | 42 | 30 | 32 | 40 | 45 |
n° 105 - April 24, 2012
Quarterly business survey (goods-producing industries) - April 2012
Next issue July 23, 2013 08:45 - July 2013
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