Manufacturing activity picked up in March, with wide gains led by aerospace production and a rebound in shipments of petroleum products.

Shipments rose 1.6% to $51.4 billion in March, the first increase this year, Statistics Canada said today.

The government agency said the gains were extensive, with increases in 17 of 21 industries, accounting for 92%.

Much of the strength was concentrated in the aerospace and price-driven petroleum industries.

Without these, shipments rose a more moderate 0.3%.

The gains came after two months of slipping shipments.