Manufacturing output in the UK increased by 0.7 percent from June to August 2006, according to the UK's Office for National Statistics.
Significant increases were reported in the chemicals and man-made fiber industries, where output increased by 1.8 percent and in the machinery and equipment industries, where output increased by 1.7 percent. There were no significant decreases in the last three months.
Overall production output remained unchanged for the three months.
Offsetting the 0.7 per cent increase in manufacturing, were production decreases of 0.6 percent in the energy supply sector and 5.6 percent in the mining and quarrying sector.
Decreases in both oil and gas extraction output were responsible for the declines in the mining and quarrying sectors.
Between July and August, manufacturing output increased by 0.4 percent. The electrical and optical equipment industries showed a significant increase of 1.8 percent. There were no significant decreases for the month.
Total production output increased by 0.1 percent between July and August.
Mining and quarrying output decreased by 2.2 percent while energy supply output decreased by 0.3 percent. Within the mining and quarrying sector the coal industry fell by 13.3 percent.
German factory orders in August rose 3.7 percent compared with a revised 2.1 percent in July, according to statement released by the German Economy Ministry. Most economists had expected a decline of 0.4% for Germany's August factory orders and the increase is an indication of strong growth in the German economy.