GAMBICA Index shows growth across all industry sectors

The combined GAMBICA Index shows a 5.2% growth in 2016, the strongest rate in the last four years and a recovery from the dip in 2015. Factors such as increased exports, UK investments and restarting major projects that were postponed in 2015 have contributed to all three sectors showing growth in 2016.

The process instrumentation and control sector has recovered from the sharp decline in 2015 caused by the oil price crash and the growth this year is significant at almost 12%. While the oil and gas market has made small recoveries, mainly on activities in the service and spares markets, the growth is largely attributed to increased investment in water, waste, food and beverage, and pharmaceuticals.

The laboratory technology sector saw its strongest growth for four years at 6.4% in 2016, with both UK and export sales growing at an increased rate compared to 2015. Overall the last five years have seen an average growth of over five percent each year in this sector.

The industrial automation sector returned to growth in 2016, with a 2.2% improvement on the previous year. This is due to the low sterling exchange rate which boosted sales in Q3 and Q4 and some relief from the political and economic uncertainty that was largely thought to be the cause of the 2015 downturn.