The recent improvement in credit for manufacturers is no excuse for complacency, according to one trade body.
EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, has released figures from its latest credit survey which shows the first improvement in a year in credit access.
Some 80 per cent of companies said that credit feeds had remained unchanged over the fourth quarter so far.
Just under a fifth (20 per cent) of companies saw a moderate or significant increase in the cost of credit over this period.
More borrowing opportunities opened up to companies in this quarter, with 8.3 per cent of firms claiming to have seen an increase.
Ms Lee Hopley, chief economist of the body, said: "Any sign of improvement in access to finance is welcome and the survey suggests industry may be past the worst of the problems.
"The window of opportunity to address this will not remain open indefinitely and failure to take action now risks weakening economic growth over the rest of this parliament."
Increased availability of finance could mean that companies consider investing in new equipment.
Typical Guttridge equipment used in the process systems, process engineering and manufacturing processes industry includes; heavy duty conveyors -industrial conveyors – belt conveyors
