Manufacturing Expands for 27th Consecutive Month

Tempe, Arizona, April 1, 2015—Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in March for the 27th consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 70th consecutive month, according to the Institute of Supply Management’s Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, ten are reporting growth in March in the following order: paper products; wood products; transportation equipment; fabricated metal products; nonmetallic mineral products; machinery; chemical products; primary metals; food, beverage & tobacco products; and computer & electronic products.

The seven industries reporting contraction in March — listed in order — are: apparel, leather & allied products; textile mills; petroleum & coal products; electrical equipment, appliances & components; miscellaneous manufacturing; plastics & rubber products; and furniture & related products.