Economic Activity in Manufacturing Continues to Expand | Industry News

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in August for the 15th consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 63rd consecutive month, say the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.

The report was issued by Bradley Holcomb, CPSM, CPSD, chair of the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Manufacturing Business Survey Committee. "The August PMI registered 59%, an increase of 1.9 percentage points from July's reading of 57.1%, indicating continued expansion in manufacturing. This month's PMI reflects the highest reading since March 2011 when the index registered 59.1%. The New Orders Index registered 66.7%, an increase of 3.3 percentage points from the 63.4% reading in July, indicating growth in new orders for the 15th consecutive month. The Production Index registered 64.5%, 3.3 percentage points above the July reading of 61.2%. The Employment Index grew for the 14th consecutive month, registering 58.1%, a slight decrease of 0.1 percentage point below the July reading of 58.2%. Inventories of raw materials registered 52%, an increase of 3.5 percentage points from the July reading of 48.5 percent, indicating growth in inventories following one month of contraction. The August PMI is led by the highest recorded New Orders Index since April 2004 when it registered 67.1 percent. At the same time, comments from the panel reflect a positive outlook mixed with caution over global geopolitical unrest."

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, 17 are reporting growth in August in the following order: Plastics & Rubber Products; Furniture & Related Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Wood Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Paper Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Chemical Products; Primary Metals; Transportation Equipment; Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; and Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components. The only industry reporting contraction in August is Textile Mills.

Quotes from respondents from different sectors.

• "Business is looking good for food manufacturing. Packaging materials prices are staying in check, minimum wage is up a bit, but manageable." (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)
• "The commercial building business is good, our business is up." (Fabricated Metal Products)
• "Overall business conditions are flat. World issues taking a toll on business. Consumers are cutting back on spending." (Transportation Equipment)
• "Overall business is improving. Order backlog is increasing. Quotes are increasing. Much more positive outlook in our sector." (Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components)
• "Business in the energy sector continues to remain very robust with no signs of backing off in the near future." (Computer & Electronic Products)
• "Demand in the United States is consistent and geopolitics remain a concern." (Chemical Products)
• "International markets are slower due to Euro holidays, political unrest and slowing Chinese markets. North American business off slightly." (Wood Products)
• "Business is strong. Labor is becoming a difficult issue." (Furniture & Related Products)
• "Demand is strong. Numbers are up over last year." (Machinery)
• "Strongest month in years. Business is solid…Awesome!" (Primary Metals)