Manufacturing sales increased for the third consecutive month in July, rising 0.9 percent to C$58.6 billion (US$45.1 billion), according to new data from Statistics Canada.

Higher sales in the transportation equipment and chemical industries drove the increase.

Overall, sales were up in 11 of 21 industries, representing 68 percent of total manufacturing sales. Non-durable goods rose 1.4 percent to C$27.7 billion (US$21.3 billion), while durable goods increased 0.5 percent to C$30.9 billion (US$23.8 billion).

Constant dollar sales increased 1 percent, indicating that a higher volume of goods was sold in July.