UK factories have seen order books swell to a record high this month but output growth slowed sharply as they struggled to meet demand amid the supply chain crisis, according to a survey. The latest industrial trends survey by the CBI business body revealed manufacturers reported order books at their strongest level since records began in 1977. Export order books also hit their highest level since March 2019. However, output growth dropped for the second month in a row, slowing to its lowest level since May in a sign that the supply chain woes are holding back the sector’s recovery. Anna Leach, CBI deputy chief economist, said: “Amidst a variety of supply challenges, companies are beginning to struggle to meet high demand. “Despite close to half of manufacturers surveyed reporting order books above normal, output growth has slowed sharply, albeit remaining relatively robust.” Tom Crotty, group director at INEOS and …