Things are looking up: Manufacturers report more comfortable inventory levels

OTTAWA (Aug. 2, 2002) — Manufacturers are feeling better about inventory levels after months of struggling with surplus stock, according to Statistics Canada’s latest quarterly business conditions survey.

Manufacturers reported in early July a positive economic outlook for the third quarter. Producers indicated that inventories were under control, orders were still coming in, and production should continue at about the same pace as in the second quarter, the agency said.

Almost 4,000 manufacturers responded to the voluntary survey, of which eight out of 10 indicated that finished product inventory levels were about right.

Three quarters of manufacturers expected to maintain the same production levels for the next three months, and 86% reported their workforce would remain the same or increase.