Singapore’s manufacturing output decreased 0.3% in June 2016 from June 2015, ending a three-month year-on-year growth streak, according to data from the Economic Development Board (EDB). Excluding biomedical manufacturing, output grew 2.4%.
On a seasonally adjusted month-on-month basis, manufacturing output decreased 2.5% in June 2016. Excluding biomedical manufacturing, output grew 1.8%, said EDB.
By cluster, electronics output increased 19.7% in June 2016 year-on-year on higher output in the semiconductor (39.1%) and data storage (11.0%) segments. However, this was partially offset by declines in the rest of the electronic segments. Cumulatively, output of the electronics cluster grew 7.5% in the first six months of this year compared to the same period last year.
Precision engineering posted 4.3% growth in June 2016 year-on-year. The machinery & systems segment grew 8.9% as export demand increased for semiconductor-related equipment, and volume expanded for mechanical engineering works. The precision modules & components segment, however, contracted 3.4% with lower output in metal precision components, industrial rubber, and fabricated metal products. Year-to-date, output of the precision engineering cluster declined 3.5% compared to the same period last year.
General manufacturing industries’ output contracted 4.5% year-on-year in June 2016. While the food, beverages & tobacco segment grew 6.8%, the miscellaneous industries and printing segments fell 13.2% and 15.3%, respectively. The miscellaneous industries registered lower output of steel structural component and wooden furniture & fixture, while the printing segment recorded weaker demand for commercial printing. In the first six months of the year, the cluster’s output fell 1.7% compared to the same period last year.
Chemicals output fell 5.1% year-on-year in June 2016. The petroleum and specialties segments registered increases in output of 14.1% and 1.1%, respectively. On the other hand, output of the other chemicals and petrochemicals segments fell 3.0% and 14.6%, respectively. Decline in the petrochemicals segment was mainly attributed to plant maintenance shutdowns. Cumulatively, output of the chemicals cluster fell 3.0 % in the first six months of this year compared to the same period in 2015.
Output of the biomedical manufacturing cluster contracted 10.2% in June 2016 compared to the same period a year ago. The medical technological segment grew 10.2%, but this was offset by a 15.3% fall in the pharmaceutical segment. The decline in pharmaceutical output was due to a different mix of active pharmaceutical ingredients being produced, as well as lower output of biological products. On a year-to-date basis, the biomedical manufacturing cluster increased 12.3% compared to the same period a year ago.
The transport engineering cluster’s output declined 17.2% year-on-year in June 2016. The aerospace segment grew 21.8% on the back of more engine repair jobs from commercial airlines. The land transport and marine & offshore engineering segments posted declines of 20.5% and 32.1%, respectively, where the latter was affected by a lower level of rig-building activity and lackluster demand for oilfield & gasfield equipment amidst the low oil price environment. In the first six months of this year, output of the transport engineering cluster decreased 18.0% compared to the same period last year.
Photo: Mixabest
