Businesses across all nine English regions saw growth in November, according to new figures.
The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), sponsored by Lloyds TSB, found that the East Midlands outstripped other regions for the second month in succession.
Its growth was attributed to the manufacturing sector, as the region saw a slight decline on the previous month's output figure from 57.4 to 55.8.
The south-west and the south-east took second and third place, with balances above 55.5 and 54.2 respectively signalling healthy growth.
However, firms across the country took on more workers, with recruitment higher in all regions for the first time since April.
John Maltby, managing director for Lloyds TSB Commercial, said: "The recent improvement in output and new business highlighted by the PMIs bodes well for GDP growth in the final three months of the year."
He added that there was still strong pressure on input price inflation, as well as more demand for raw materials which are continuing to impact on operating costs for manufacturers.
Businesses could consider investing in new equipment in order to boost their expansion.
Typical Guttridge equipment used in the process systems, process engineering and manufacturing processes industry includes; heavy duty conveyors-industrial conveyors – belt conveyors
