Income

The total income for the manufacturing industry in 2014 was R2 197,9 billion. The total income represents an increase of 9,4% per annum over the income reported in the corresponding survey of 2011 (R1 676,6 billion). Comparing 2011 and 2014, large increases were reported for 'coke, petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic' (+R248,1 billion), 'food products and beverages' (+R88,6 billion) and 'transport equipment' (+R81,3 billion).

Profit margin

The profit margin for the manufacturing industry was 4,4% in 2014. 'Furniture, other manufacturing and recycling' had the highest profit margin at 9,4%, followed by 'wood, wood products, paper, publishing and printing' at 6,1% and 'glass and other non-metallic mineral products' at 5,5%. 'Transport equipment' and 'Metals, metal products, machinery and equipment' had the lowest profit margin at 2,9%.

Employment

The total number of persons employed in the manufacturing industry as at the end of June 2014 was 1 190 000. The 'metals, metal products, machinery and equipment' division employed the largest number of persons (250 000 or 21,1%), followed by 'food products and beverages' (230 000 or 19,3%), 'coke, petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic' (175 000 or 14,7%) and 'wood, wood products, paper, publishing and printing' (132 000 or 11,1%).