Statistics Canada said Tuesday that manufacturing sales advanced 2.6 percent to $49.6 billion in February, the largest increase since July 2011. In total, sales rose in 14 of 21 industries, representing approximately 85 percent of Canadian manufacturing. Sales of durable goods were up 3.7 percent to $25.1 billion.

Sales in the transportation equipment industry rose 8.7 percent to $8.1 billion, the largest gain in percentage terms since January 2011. The gain was mostly attributable to a 13.5 percent advance in the motor vehicle assembly industry. A 15.5 percent increase in production in the aerospace product and parts industry also contributed to higher transportation equipment sales. In the petroleum and coal product industry, sales increased 2.4 percent to $7.3 billion.

Manufacturing inventories rose 0.9 percent to $66.1 billion in February, the highest level since January 2009. In the primary metal industry, inventories increased 3.9 percent to $7.9 billion. This was the fourth gain in five months. Inventories in the aerospace product and parts industry were up 2.3 percent to $5.1 billion, the highest level since August 2009.