Manufactured output dropped by 0.6% in February from the January figure, marking the strongest decline since October 2005, official data showed on April 5. The drop is the second in a row following January's 0.2% decline.
Analysts' consensus forecast had been for an output rise in February of 0.3%
On a 12-month basis, manufactured output climbed 1.2% in February, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, below market expectations of a 2.2% increase.
"Within the widespread falls seen on the month there was a significant decrease in the transport equipment industries where output fell by 1.3%," the ONS said.
The wider industrial production measure, which accounts for around 18.6% of British gross domestic product, fell by 0.2% in February from January.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2007
