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Business picks up for Milwaukee’s manufacturers
Published November 30, 2009 - BizTimes Daily
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Milwaukee’s manufacturing economy showed significant improvement in November, according to the most recent survey by the Institute of Supply Management - Milwaukee Chapter.
The chapter’s index rose to 57 points for November. Any reading over 50 indicates expansion from the previous month.
According to the survey, new orders in the Milwaukee area rose by 10 points, production rose by eight points and backlog rose by four points. Following the increased demand, supplier lead times have dropped by four points to 40.
Employment among Milwaukee’s manufacturers also improved in November. Blue collar employment improved by 16 points to 54 in November, while white collar employment rose by nine points to 56. Capital equipment spending rose by six points, while inventory levels fell by five points, further reflecting the increased activity.
Similarly, more businesses in the Chicago region were expanding in November, according to the Chicago Purchasing Managers Index released today by the National Association of Purchasing Managers (NAPM) -Chicago. The Chicago business activity index rose to 56.1 percent in November from 54.2 percent in October. The index is at its highest point since August 2008.
