Manufacturers upbeat about 2017 outlook

Manufacturers are confident about their outlook for 2017 in anticipation of rising turnover and a lower Australian dollar.

The latest Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Westpac industrial trends survey, released on Thursday, indicates manufacturing is expecting improved profits next year, even though it is constrained by the downturn in mining investment and a persistent fragile global economy.

"Manufacturers are tapping into new home building and renovation activity in Australia and a more competitive currency internationally to make sales at home and abroad," chamber boss James Pearson says..