By Bob Croce, Insider Learning Network
Although it’s not exactly time to break out the cigars and champagne, there was—finally—a glimmer of good news for manufacturers in August. According to a report by the Institute of Supply Chain Management, 11 of 18 manufacturing industries actually experienced growth last month.
Among the big winners were transportation, metals, apparel, allied products, and leather. Although the dark clouds—no, not the ones produced by Hurricane Earl—still hang over head, ISM says that August was the 13th straight month of growth in the manufacturing sector.
The biggest month-over-month improvements came in the areas of production and employment.
It’ll be interesting to see how better news on the manufacturing front affects attendance at Manufacturing 2011 in Orlando next March.
You can also discuss this and other manufacturing-related topics by joining the Manufacturing Group here on ILN.