Manufacturing activity stays level

OTTAWA – Canadian manufacturing barely rose in June, edging up slightly by 0.1 percent to $44.8 billion in June.

With the modest increase, sales have advanced in 11 of the past 13 months since the low reached in May 2009, according to Stats Canada.

Although 9 industries reported increased sales in June, these were largely offset by declines in the remaining 12 industries.
Sales rose 4.8 percent in the paper industry, reflected by higher volumes.

Other industries reporting gains included furniture (+6.4%), fabricated metal products (+2.0%) and chemical manufacturing (+1.2%).

Sales dropped 2.1 percent in the food industry and 1.5 percent in the petroleum and coal products industry.

Inventory levels also rose for the first time since February, edging up slightly by 0.7 percent to $58.8 billion.

The increase was primarily due to the value of inventories held in the petroleum and coal products (+4.1%), chemical manufacturing (+2.4%) and wood products (+3.2%) industries.