Globally, manufacturing business growth has increased by 3.7 percent (to 103.7 index points) even though half of manufacturers admit they have grown under challenging circumstances. This is one of the key findings of the annual Global Growth Index, launched by Epicor Software to promote business growth.

The Growth Index is designed to measure the state of business growth worldwide, by tracking the performance of manufacturing businesses in 14 territories. Taking last year's results as a base figure (100), it has found that business growth across the globe has increased by 3.7 index points in the last 12 months, awarding the state of business growth with a score of 103.7.

Contributing to this score is a significant growth in the number of manufacturers reporting strong sales/turnover in the last 12 months—up 5 percent from last year to 70 percent overall. A similar trend was observed with profits and product ranges, with a 3 percent boost in the number of businesses growing in each of these areas compared to last year.

Comparing figures on a global scale, the Global Growth Index shows a solid performance from India—with manufacturers in this country outperforming global average figures in terms of expanding product ranges (75 %), profits (83%), workforce (61%), geographic expansion (65%), and exports (also 65%).

Apart from India, manufacturing businesses in Mexico and China came above global average figures in all growth metrics, with the exception of workforce growth, which was reported by just 39 percent of Chinese businesses, compared to a global average of 48 percent. European businesses have been most likely to experience growth in terms of geographic coverage and exports/overseas sales-French and Swedish businesses have lead the way here, with over half growing in these areas, compared to 44 percent of UK businesses and 46 percent of German businesses.

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