Shaw Industries’ Diana Rosenberger Receives Manufacturing Institute STEP Ahead Award

DALTON, Ga. — March 1, 2019 — The Manufacturing Institute has awarded Diana Rosenberger, sustainable sourcing manager at Shaw Industries Group Inc., the Women in Manufacturing STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Production) Ahead Award. This national honor identifies high-achieving women in manufacturing who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in their companies and communities.

Rosenberger is honored for her contributions to Shaw’s sustainability efforts. As the sustainable sourcing manager, she partnered with fellow associates, aligning sustainability, legal and global sourcing interests to transform Shaw’s once stand-alone supplier code of conduct into a legally binding sourcing policy. She was also an instrumental part of the team that drove the company to become a signatory of the UN Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, in November 2017. Rosenberger is responsible for Shaw’s Supplier Diversity program via which the company has increased its spend with Small Businesses and diverse-owned business, such as woman-owned, minority-owned, veteran and service disabled-owned and LGBT-owned businesses.

Through her passion for affecting positive change for women in her workplace, Rosenberger participated in Shaw’s Women’s Innovation Network’s (WiN) True North program as a mentor. She is committed to instilling strength and confidence in fellow women in the workplace.

“We are pleased to recognize the accomplishments of Diana,” says Mike Fromm, Shaw’s chief human resources officer. “We appreciate her contributions to the company through her leadership, dedication and ingenuity. These qualities reflect the diversity we value among our associates and are what allows Shaw to grow and be a successful company.”

To honor this year’s recipients, a gala will take place on April 11, 2019, in Washington. Recipients will be celebrated for their many achievements and contributions to the manufacturing sector. Created in 2012, the Manufacturing Institute’s STEP Ahead initiative has honored 802 women and continues to encourage women to mentor the next generation of female talent.

Since the inception of the STEP Ahead Awards, 13 Shaw associates have been recognized through the program.

Posted March 1, 2019

Source: Shaw Industries Group, Inc.

3M Introduces New Recycled Insulation

MUNICH — March 1, 2019 — 3M introduced new sustainable insulation materials for application in the fashion and clothing industry at ISPO, held February 3-6, in Munich, Germany. With up to 100-percent recycled plastics and fabrics, 3M’s Thinsulate™ Insulation offers a sustainable alternative to natural materials such as cotton or down, thus reducing the fashion industry’s carbon footprint.

While recycled Thinsulate insulating materials have been in use in skiwear for years now, 2018 saw significant improvements in the materials’ structure and function. By producing new insulation materials made from up to 100-percent post-consumer recycled materials and committing to turning process-related waste into high quality plastics, 3M has managed to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the production process — which makes the 100-percent recycled insulation material one of the premium products 3M is proud to introduce at ISPO. Thinsulate products come in three new ranges: 3M Thinsulate™ 100-percent Recycled Featherless Insulation is one such option. It offers a sustainable, cruelty-free alternative to natural down insulation solutions. Its recycled polyester material gives excellent protection even in extreme conditions whilst also being more durable than natural outwear materials tend to be. It is less bulky and more lightweight than most natural materials, and it performs well when wet. Other materials include 3M Thinsulate Flame Resistant and 3M Thinsulate Water Resistant. The products and the processes used to create them have been certified for their sustainability, their positive environmental impact, and their safe production methods by independent agencies such as OEKO-TEX®, Global Recycled Standard (GRS), and bluesign®.

The company itself has won multiple awards by Forbes, Glassdoor, Fortune, and others for good conduct, equal opportunities, for being ethical, community-oriented, and reputable — and the list goes on. For their 40th anniversary, 3M held a large milestone conference evaluating the progress so far as well as setting future goals in front of members of the press. At the conference, the company underlined the importance of good customer relations both with business and end users above all else, and announced that looking at the future, they were going to continue their focus on ethical, environmentally friendly materials and sustainable solutions.

Posted March 1, 2019

Source: 3M

PMI® At 54.2%; February Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® — Growth By Textile Mills

TEMPE, Ariz. — March 1, 2019 — Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in February, and the overall economy grew for the 118th consecutive month, said the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®.

The report was issued today by Timothy R. Fiore, CPSM, C.P.M., chair of the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) Manufacturing Business Survey Committee: “The February PMI® registered 54.2 percent, a decrease of 2.4 percentage points from the January reading of 56.6 percent. The New Orders Index registered 55.5 percent, a decrease of 2.7 percentage points from the January reading of 58.2 percent. The Production Index registered 54.8 percent, 5.7-percentage point decrease compared to the January reading of 60.5 percent. The Employment Index registered 52.3 percent, a decrease of 3.2 percentage points from the January reading of 55.5 percent. The Supplier Deliveries Index registered 54.9 percent, a 1.3 percentage point decrease from the January reading of 56.2 percent. The Inventories Index registered 53.4 percent, an increase of 0.6 percentage point from the January reading of 52.8 percent. The Prices Index registered 49.4 percent, a 0.2-percentage point decrease from the January reading of 49.6 percent, indicating lower raw materials prices for the second straight month after nearly three years of increases.

“Comments from the panel reflect continued expanding business strength, supported by notable demand and output, although both were softer than the prior month. Demand expansion continued with the New Orders Index reaching the mid-50s, the Customers’ Inventories Index scoring lower and remaining too low, and the Backlog of Orders returning to a low 50’s expansion level. Consumption (production and employment) continued to expand, but fell a combined 8.9 points from the previous month’s levels. Inputs — expressed as supplier deliveries, inventories and imports — stabilized at a mid 50’s level and had a slight negative impact on the PMI®. Inputs continue to reflect an easing business environment, confirmed by Prices Index contraction.

“Exports continue to expand, at slightly stronger rates compared to January. The manufacturing sector continues to expand, but inputs and prices indicate easing of supply chain constraints,” said Fiore.

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, 16 reported growth in February, in the following order: Printing & Related Support Activities; Textile Mills; Computer & Electronic Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Fabricated Metal Products; Paper Products; Wood Products; Primary Metals; Chemical Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Petroleum & Coal Products; Transportation Equipment; Machinery; Furniture & Related Products; and Plastics & Rubber Products. The only industry reporting contraction in February is Nonmetallic Mineral Products.

What Respondents Are Saying

“Strong domestics market. Slow export markets.” (Paper Products)

“Demand remains healthy at the beginning of 2019. However, growing concerns for what could be another round of tariffs in March are further escalating price increases of already constrained electronic components. Expect to see increased lead times and prices throughout Q1 and Q2.” (Computer & Electronic Products)

“Strong start to the year, though weather has been a challenge.” (Chemical Products)

“Still fairly steady with production and services.” (Transportation Equipment)

“Economy showing general strength, especially in manufacturing. Cost pressures and tariff challenges persist but are manageable. General outlook is for stability and potential improvement in the second half of 2019.” (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)

“Orders remain strong. Supplier delivery continues to be challenged on some commodities.” (Machinery)

“Aerospace engine-related business continues to be strong. Energy and general industry-related business is flat to down.” (Miscellaneous Manufacturing)

“Business so far this year is meeting, but not exceeding, our forecast. We are concerned about indicators showing a slight recession for the second half of the calendar year.” (Fabricated Metal Products)

“Uncertainty of steel prices due to Section 232 tariffs on imported steel and lack of resolution of the anti-dumping trade cases.” (Petroleum & Coal Products)

“General business conditions started to slow at the end of January, continuing through February.” (Plastics and Rubber Products)

MANUFACTURING AT A GLANCE

February 2019

Index Series Index

Feb

Series Index

Jan

Percentage

Point

Change

Direction Rate of Change Trend* (Months)
PMI® 54.2 56.6 -2.4 Growing Slower 30
New Orders 55.5 58.2 -2.7 Growing Slower 38
Production 54.8 60.5 -5.7 Growing Slower 30
Employment 52.3 55.5 -3.2 Growing Slower 29
Supplier Deliveries 54.9 56.2 -1.3 Slowing Slower 36
Inventories 53.4 52.8 +0.6 Growing Faster 14
Customers’ Inventories 39.0 42.8 -3.8 Too Low Faster 29
Prices 49.4 49.6 -0.2 Decreasing Faster 2
Backlog of Orders 52.3 50.3 +2.0 Growing Faster 2
New Export Orders 52.8 51.8 +1.0 Growing Faster 36
Imports 55.3 53.8 +1.5 Growing Faster 25
OVERALL ECONOMY Growing Slower 118
Manufacturing Sector Growing Slower 30

Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® data is seasonally adjusted for the New Orders, Production, Employment and Supplier Deliveries Indexes.

*Number of months moving in current direction.

COMMODITIES REPORTED UP/DOWN IN PRICE AND IN SHORT SUPPLY

Commodities Up in Price
Aluminum*; Electronic Components (7); Paper-Based Products; Plastic Components; Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (2); Steel* (6); Steel — Hot Rolled* (2) and Steel Products* (10).

Commodities Down in Price
Aluminum* (5); Caustic Soda (5); Memory (2); Oil; Steel* (6); Steel — Hot Rolled* (6); and Steel Products* (2).

Commodities in Short Supply
Capacitors (20); Electronic Components (10); and Resistors (16).

The number of consecutive months the commodity is listed is indicated after each item.

*Indicates both up and down in price.

FEBRUARY 2019 MANUFACTURING INDEX SUMMARIES

PMI®
Manufacturing expanded in February, as the PMI® registered 54.2 percent, a decrease of 2.4 percentage points from the January reading of 56.6 percent. “This indicates growth in manufacturing for the 30th consecutive month. The PMI® reversed a January increase in expansion primarily through an expansion softening of a combined 8.9 points in production and employment. The index reached its lowest level of expansion since November 2016, when the PMI® measured 53 percent,” says Fiore. A reading above 50 percent indicates that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally contracting.

A PMI® above 42.9 percent, over a period of time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy. Therefore, the February PMI® indicates growth for the 118th consecutive month in the overall economy and 30th straight month of growth in the manufacturing sector. “The past relationship between the PMI® and the overall economy indicates that the PMI® for February (54.2 percent) corresponds to a 3.3-percent increase in real gross domestic product (GDP) on an annualized basis,” says Fiore.

THE LAST 12 MONTHS

Month PMI® Month PMI®
Feb 2019 54.2 Aug 2018 60.8
Jan 2019 56.6 Jul 2018 58.4
Dec 2018 54.3 Jun 2018 60.0
Nov 2018 58.8 May 2018 58.7
Oct 2018 57.5 Apr 2018 57.9
Sep 2018 59.5 Mar 2018 59.3
Average for 12 months – 58.0

High – 60.8

Low – 54.2

New Orders

ISM®’s New Orders Index registered 55.5 percent in February, which is a decrease of 2.7 percentage points when compared to the 58.2 percent reported for January, indicating growth in new orders for the 38th consecutive month. “Customer demand expansion softened compared to January, with four of the top six industry sectors expanding,” says Fiore. A New Orders Index above 52.5 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Census Bureau’s series on manufacturing orders (in constant 2000 dollars).

Thirteen of 18 industries reported growth in new orders in February, in the following order: Wood Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Fabricated Metal Products; Primary Metals; Furniture & Related Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Chemical Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Paper Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; and Machinery. The only industry reporting a decrease in new orders in February is Nonmetallic Mineral Products.

New Orders %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index
Feb 2019 28.2 57.8 14.0 +14.2 55.5
Jan 2019 29.8 52.0 18.3 +11.5 58.2
Dec 2018 19.7 57.5 22.9 -3.2 51.3
Nov 2018 31.0 55.0 14.0 +17.0 61.8

Production

ISM®’s Production Index registered 54.8 percent in February, which is a decrease of 5.7 percentage points when compared to the 60.5 percent reported for January, indicating growth in production for the 30th consecutive month. “Production expansion continued in February, but at a slower pace compared to January. Production was not able to keep pace with customer-inventory demand and was not able to prevent a growth in backlog orders. Weather conditions causing factory shutdowns may have contributed to the weaker expansion performance,” says Fiore. An index above 51.7 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Federal Reserve Board’s Industrial Production figures.

The 12 industries reporting growth in production during the month of February — listed in order — are: Printing & Related Support Activities; Chemical Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Computer & Electronic Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Primary Metals; Paper Products; Transportation Equipment; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Machinery. The four industries reporting a decrease in production in February are: Textile Mills; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Furniture & Related Products; and Plastics & Rubber Products.

Production %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index
Feb 2019 26.0 59.5 14.5 +11.5 54.8
Jan 2019 28.3 56.0 15.7 +12.6 60.5
Dec 2018 21.6 58.8 19.5 +2.1 54.1
Nov 2018 30.6 56.8 12.6 +18.0 59.9

Employment

ISM®’s Employment Index registered 52.3 percent in February, a decrease of 3.2 percentage points when compared to the January reading of 55.5 percent. This indicates growth in employment in February for the 29th consecutive month. “Employment continued to expand, but at the lowest level since November 2016, when the index registered 51.6 percent,” says Fiore. An Employment Index above 50.8 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on manufacturing employment.

Ten of 18 manufacturing industries reported employment growth in February, in the following order: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Primary Metals; Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; Transportation Equipment; and Chemical Products. The two industries reporting a decrease in employment in February are: Wood Products; and Fabricated Metal Products. Six industries reported no change in employment in February compared to January.

Employment %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index
Feb 2019 18.2 68.7 13.2 +5.0 52.3
Jan 2019 17.6 71.1 11.3 +6.3 55.5
Dec 2018 18.6 70.7 10.7 +7.9 56.0
Nov 2018 22.7 69.1 8.2 +14.5 57.7

Supplier Deliveries

The delivery performance of suppliers to manufacturing organizations slowed in February, as the Supplier Deliveries Index registered 54.9 percent. This is 1.3 percentage points lower than the 56.2 percent reported for January. “This is the 36th straight month of slowing supplier deliveries, with the index recording its lowest level of expansion since May 2017, when it registered 54.3 percent. Supplier delivery improvement contributed to slight gains in inventory expansion,” says Fiore. A reading below 50 percent indicates faster deliveries, while a reading above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries.

The 12 industries reporting slower supplier deliveries in February — listed in order — are: Textile Mills; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Primary Metals; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Transportation Equipment; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Machinery; Chemical Products; and Computer & Electronic Products. No industry reported faster supplier deliveries in February. Six industries reported no change in supplier deliveries in February compared to January.

Supplier Deliveries %Slower %Same %Faster Net Index
Feb 2019 16.6 77.3 6.1 +10.5 54.9
Jan 2019 17.7 75.6 6.7 +11.0 56.2
Dec 2018 17.6 78.0 4.4 +13.2 59.0
Nov 2018 25.9 70.2 3.9 +22.0 61.5

Inventories*

The Inventories Index registered 53.4 percent in February, an increase of 0.6 percentage point from the 52.8 percent reported for January. “Inventories expanded for the 14th consecutive month, at a faster rate than the previous month. This growth is due to continued improvement in supplier delivery performance. Inventory expansion achieved its highest level since August 2018, when the index reached 55.4 percent,” says Fiore. An Inventories Index greater than 44.3 percent, over time, is generally consistent with expansion in the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) figures on overall manufacturing inventories (in chained 2000 dollars).

The 10 industries reporting higher inventories in February — listed in order — are: Textile Mills; Wood Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Paper Products; Furniture & Related Products; Transportation Equipment; Machinery; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Computer & Electronic Products; and Fabricated Metal Products. The three industries reporting a decrease in inventories in February are: Primary Metals; Plastics & Rubber Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing.

Inventories %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index
Feb 2019 20.0 66.8 13.2 +6.8 53.4
Jan 2019 21.5 62.5 16.0 +5.5 52.8
Dec 2018 20.9 60.6 18.4 +2.5 51.2
Nov 2018 23.4 59.0 17.6 +5.8 52.9

Customers’ Inventories*

ISM®’s Customers’ Inventories Index registered 39 percent in February, which is 3.8 percentage points lower than the 42.8 percent reported for January, indicating that customers’ inventory levels were considered too low. “Customers’ inventories are too low for the 29th consecutive month and recorded their lowest level since December 2010, when the index registered 39 percent. Low customer inventories continue to represent future production-growth potential,” says Fiore.

The only industry reporting customers’ inventories as too high during the month of February is Apparel, Leather and Allied Products. The 10 industries reporting customers’ inventories as too low during February — listed in order — are: Chemical Products; Machinery; Primary Metals; Plastics & Rubber Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; and Paper Products. Six industries reported no change in inventories in February compared to January.

Customers’ Inventories % Reporting %Too High %About Right %Too Low Net Index
Feb 2019 74 4.3 69.4 26.3 -22.0 39.0
Jan 2019 77 9.6 66.4 24.0 -14.4 42.8
Dec 2018 82 4.3 74.7 21.0 -16.7 41.7
Nov 2018 79 8.9 65.1 26.0 -17.1 41.5

Prices*

The ISM® Prices Index registered 49.4 percent in February, a decrease of 0.2 percentage point from the January reading of 49.6 percent, indicating a decrease in raw materials prices for the second straight month. The Prices Index has dropped 22.2 percentage points over the past four months. “Prices contracted for the second straight month. Decreases were reported in aluminum, steel, steel-based products, various chemicals and plastic resins. Steel prices have returned to more normal levels. Price increases and shortages continue for passive electronic components,” says Fiore. A Prices Index above 52.5 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Producer Price Index for Intermediate Materials.

Six of the 18 industries reported paying increased prices for raw materials in February, in the following order: Printing & Related Support Activities; Textile Mills; Computer & Electronic Products; Transportation Equipment; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Machinery. The eight industries reporting a decrease in prices for raw materials in February — listed in order — are: Furniture & Related Products; Wood Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Plastics & Rubber Products; Paper Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Chemical Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products.

Prices %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index
Feb 2019 20.0 58.9 21.1 -1.1 49.4
Jan 2019 20.6 57.9 21.5 -0.9 49.6
Dec 2018 26.8 56.1 17.1 +9.7 54.9
Nov 2018 32.0 57.3 10.7 +21.3 60.7

Backlog of Orders*

ISM®’s Backlog of Orders Index registered 52.3 percent in February, which is 2 percentage points higher than the 50.3 percent reported in January, indicating order backlogs grew for the month. “Backlogs expanded during February despite the softening of growth in new orders indicating production struggled to keep up with incoming demand,” says Fiore.

The nine industries reporting growth in order backlogs in February — listed in order — are: Wood Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Computer & Electronic Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Primary Metals; Paper Products; Transportation Equipment; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Machinery. The seven industries reporting a decrease in order backlogs during February in the following order are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Textile Mills; Petroleum & Coal Products; Furniture & Related Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; and Chemical Products.

Backlog of Orders % Reporting %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index
Feb 2019 88 23.4 57.8 18.8 +4.6 52.3
Jan 2019 88 20.1 60.3 19.6 +0.5 50.3
Dec 2018 89 19.8 60.3 19.9 -0.1 50.0
Nov 2018 88 27.7 57.5 14.9 +12.8 56.4

New Export Orders*

ISM®’s New Export Orders Index registered 52.8 percent in February, 1 percentage point higher compared to the January reading of 51.8 percent, indicating growth in new export orders for the 36th consecutive month. “Export orders continued expansion at better rates than the prior month, but still at low levels of expansion, consistent with the prior four months. Two of the six big industry sectors contributed to the expansion,” says Fiore.

The seven industries reporting growth in new export orders in February — listed in order — are: Wood Products; Furniture & Related Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Chemical Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Machinery; and Plastics & Rubber Products. The two industries reporting a decrease in new export orders in February are: Apparel, Leather and Allied Products; and Fabricated Metal Products. Nine industries reported no change in new export orders in February.

New Export Orders % Reporting %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index
Feb 2019 78 11.8 82.2 6.1 +5.7 52.8
Jan 2019 78 12.8 77.8 9.3 +3.5 51.8
Dec 2018 80 13.9 77.7 8.4 +5.5 52.8
Nov 2018 81 12.9 78.6 8.4 +4.5 52.2

Imports*

ISM®’s Imports Index registered 55.3 percent in February, an increase of 1.5 percentage points when compared to the 53.8 percent reported for January, indicating that imports grew in February for the 25th consecutive month. “Imports expansion improved, reversing a three-month expansion decline that was due in part to continued activity to import prior to the Lunar New Year, as well as to avoid potential tariff increases on March 1. The index recorded its best expansion performance since June 2018, when it achieved 59 percent,” says Fiore.

The 13 industries reporting growth in imports during the month of February — listed in order — are: Wood Products; Textile Mills; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Furniture & Related Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Machinery; Chemical Products; Transportation Equipment; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Computer & Electronic Products; and Fabricated Metal Products. No industry reported a decrease in imports during February.

Imports % Reporting %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index
Feb 2019 80 16.6 77.5 5.9 +10.7 55.3
Jan 2019 85 17.0 73.6 9.4 +7.6 53.8
Dec 2018 86 16.7 72.0 11.3 +5.4 52.7
Nov 2018 83 18.7 69.8 11.5 +7.2 53.6

*The Inventories, Customers’ Inventories, Prices, Backlog of Orders, New Export Orders and Imports Indexes do not meet the accepted criteria for seasonal adjustments.

Buying Policy

Average commitment lead time for Capital Expenditures decreased by two days in February to 146 days. Average lead time for Production Materials was unchanged at 68 days. Average lead time for Maintenance, Repair and Operating (MRO) Supplies decreased by three days to 33 days.

Percent Reporting
Capital Expenditures Hand-to-
Mouth 30 Days 60 Days 90 Days 6 Months 1 Year+ Average 
Days
Feb 2019 18 3 13 20 26 20 146
Jan 2019 20 4 12 18 24 22 148
Dec 2018 19 5 11 22 23 20 142
Nov 2018 19 5 9 22 22 23 150
Production Materials Hand-to-
Mouth 30 Days 60 Days 90 Days 6 Months 1 Year+ Average 
Days
Feb 2019 10 37 24 17 9 3 68
Jan 2019 13 30 27 19 8 3 68
Dec 2018 11 35 27 17 6 4 68
Nov 2018 9 35 30 15 8 3 68
MRO Supplies Hand-to-
Mouth 30 Days 60 Days 90 Days 6 Months 1 Year+ Average 
Days
Feb 2019 34 45 15 4 1 1 33
Jan 2019 35 39 17 6 2 1 36
Dec 2018 37 41 14 5 3 0 32
Nov 2018 37 39 15 6 3 0 33

About This Report

DO NOT CONFUSE THIS NATIONAL REPORT with the various regional purchasing reports released across the country. The national report’s information reflects the entire U.S., while the regional reports contain primarily regional data from their local vicinities. Also, the information in the regional reports is not used in calculating the results of the national report. The information compiled in this report is for the month of February 2019.

The data presented herein is obtained from a survey of manufacturing supply executives based on information they have collected within their respective organizations. ISM® makes no representation, other than that stated within this release, regarding the individual company data collection procedures. The data should be compared to all other economic data sources when used in decision-making.

Data and Method of Presentation

The Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® is based on data compiled from purchasing and supply executives nationwide. The composition of the Manufacturing Business Survey Committee is stratified according to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) and each of the following NAICS-based industry’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP): Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Textile Mills; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Wood Products; Paper Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Petroleum & Coal Products; Chemical Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Primary Metals; Fabricated Metal Products; Machinery; Computer & Electronic Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Transportation Equipment; Furniture & Related Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing (products such as medical equipment and supplies, jewelry, sporting goods, toys and office supplies). The data are weighted based on each industry’s contribution to GDP. Beginning in January 2018, computation of the indexes is accomplished utilizing unrounded numbers.

Survey responses reflect the change, if any, in the current month compared to the previous month. For each of the indicators measured (New Orders, Backlog of Orders, New Export Orders, Imports, Production, Supplier Deliveries, Inventories, Customers’ Inventories, Employment and Prices), this report shows the percentage reporting each response, the net difference between the number of responses in the positive economic direction (higher, better and slower for Supplier Deliveries) and the negative economic direction (lower, worse and faster for Supplier Deliveries), and the diffusion index. Responses are raw data and are never changed. The diffusion index includes the percent of positive responses plus one-half of those responding the same (considered positive).

The resulting single index number for those meeting the criteria for seasonal adjustments (PMI®, New Orders, Production, Employment and Supplier Deliveries) is then seasonally adjusted to allow for the effects of repetitive intra-year variations resulting primarily from normal differences in weather conditions, various institutional arrangements, and differences attributable to non-moveable holidays. All seasonal adjustment factors are subject annually to relatively minor changes when conditions warrant them. The PMI® is a composite index based on the diffusion indexes of five of the indexes with equal weights: New Orders (seasonally adjusted), Production (seasonally adjusted), Employment (seasonally adjusted), Supplier Deliveries (seasonally adjusted), and Inventories.

Diffusion indexes have the properties of leading indicators and are convenient summary measures showing the prevailing direction of change and the scope of change. A PMI® reading above 50 percent indicates that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally declining. A PMI® above 42.9 percent, over a period of time, indicates that the overall economy, or gross domestic product (GDP), is generally expanding; below 42.9 percent, it is generally declining. The distance from 50 percent or 42.9 percent is indicative of the extent of the expansion or decline. With some of the indicators within this report, ISM® has indicated the departure point between expansion and decline of comparable government series, as determined by regression analysis. The Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® survey is sent out to Manufacturing Business Survey Committee respondents the first part of each month. Respondents are asked to ONLY report on information for the current month. ISM® receives survey responses throughout most of any given month, with the majority of respondents generally waiting until late in the month to submit responses in order to give the most accurate picture of current business activity. ISM® then compiles the report for release on the first business day of the following month.

The industries reporting growth, as indicated in the Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® monthly report, are listed in the order of most growth to least growth. For the industries reporting contraction or decreases, those are listed in the order of the highest level of contraction/decrease to the least level of contraction/decrease.

Responses to Buying Policy reflect the percent reporting the current month’s lead time, the approximate weighted number of days ahead for which commitments are made for Capital Expenditures; Production Materials; and Maintenance, Repair and Operating (MRO) Supplies, expressed as hand-to-mouth (five days), 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, six months (180 days), a year or more (360 days), and the weighted average number of days. These responses are raw data, never revised, and not seasonally adjusted since there is no significant seasonal pattern.

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Posted March 1, 2019

Source: Institute for Supply Management® (ISM)

Techtextil 2019 Exhibitor Preview: Monforts

MÖNCHENGLADBACH, Germany — March 1, 2019 — At the forthcoming Techtextil show in Frankfurt in Hall 3 at stand F01 from May 14-17, A. Monforts Textilmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG will demonstrate a number of enhancements that have recently been made to its texCoat and Allround coating units.

In a major development for the coating of technical textiles and nonwovens, Monforts is now offering the coating roller for its texCoat and Allround coating units as an optional carbon fibre version, in order to meet even the highest level of coating accuracy that is being demanded by the most exacting customers today.

“The carbon rollers provide the extreme stiffness necessary to deal with the winding tension required in the processing of materials such as prepregs for composites and other heavyweight fabrics, but at the same time, a significant improvement in coating accuracy is achieved, even for very lightweight flexible materials,” explained Monforts Head of Technical Textiles Jürgen Hanel. “In addition, the surfaces of the rollers are protected against both abrasion and damage from aggressive chemicals by a special ceramic coating.”

A further benefit is that the rollers are much easier to clean, he added.

“Since we acquired the coating technology that our texCoat and Allround systems are based on in 2015 we have made a lot of refinements,” he says. “All of these developments are reflected in higher coating accuracy and the resulting quality of the treated fabrics. At the same time, our latest multi-functional coating heads offer an unprecedented range of options, with a wide range of modules available.”

Machine layouts for the technical textiles and nonwovens industries now account for more than 25 percent of Monforts’ turnover and notable recent successes have included the supply of a complete 6-meter-wide coating unit to a leading manufacturer of substrates for digitally-printed soft signage in Germany.

Other systems are in place for applications ranging from carbon fabrics for high-performance composites and filter media which must perform in extreme temperatures, to flame retardant barrier fabrics, heavy duty membranes for the collection and storage of methane in biogas plants, and materials equipped with sensors and electrical conductors employed as base liners in DSC solar cells, to name just a few.

All of these materials, however, have one thing in common — they all require expert coating and finishing for maximum efficiency and the technology to allow for ultimate flexibility and the ability to switch quickly from one fabric formula to the next, without compromising on the economical use of energy or raw materials.

“Monforts is the only manufacturer to offer completely integrated coating lines from a single source and the coating machine is tailored to the subsequent Monforts drying technology — with all the benefits resulting from a fully integrated plc control,” Hanel said. “Our systems have the shortest fabric path from the coating unit into the tenter and we have all variations of coating application systems too — and all of these options are available in wider widths, with the engineering and manufacturing from a single source here in Europe.”

Posted March 1, 2019

Source: Monforts Textilmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG

Lenzing’s Nonwovens Division Bolsters Business Growth And Quality-Centric Strategy With The Appointment Of New Leadership

LENZING, Austria — March 1, 2019 — The Lenzing Group (Lenzing) is excited to announce the appointment of Jürgen Eizinger as the new vice president of Global Business Management Nonwovens Division effective as of March 1, 2019. Eizinger will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of a variety of business strategies with a focus on driving the awareness of the sustainability focused VEOCEL™ brand.

“Jürgen’s extensive experience and industry knowledge will greatly contribute to Lenzing’s nonwovens business and further bolster our leadership team,” said Robert van de Kerkhof, chief commercial officer of Lenzing Group. “With extensive industry experience, Jürgen will enable the Veocel brand to grow even stronger with a renewed focus on sustainability and circularity. Jürgen’s global knowledge across sales, expansion strategy and analysis will position him well to bring greater value to Lenzing’s nonwovens business.”

Meanwhile, Wolfgang Plasser will advance Lenzing’s devotion to quality assurance with his new role as lead of Global QM & TCS at Lenzing, effective March 1, 2019. Plasser will build upon his 28-year of experience across technical and commercial aspects of the textile and nonwovens industries to focus on enhancing customer-centric quality management systems and sustainability initiatives.

“Together, Jürgen and Wolfgang will continue to foster Lenzing’s leadership team and advance our industry leadership,” said van de Kerkhof. “Such positive changes will not only help strengthen collaboration with the industry value chain, but also pave the way for greater success for Lenzing in the long run. I am truly excited about the future projects in the pipeline for the Veocel brand.”

Eizinger is enthusiastic about his new role and is optimistic about the future. “Nonwovens is one of the fastest growing industries in the world and Lenzing, through our Veocel brand, has continued to deliver our brand promise and our strong commitment towards a more sustainable and circular future for the nonwoven segment. The Veocel brand will continue to play a bigger role in Lenzing’s business, offering quality unmatched across the industry.”

Posted March 1, 2019

Source: The Lenzing Group

JEC World 2019 Exhibitor Preview: DORNIER

LINDAU, Germany — March 1, 2019 — “At the JEC we will present the full range of our machine and system solutions for the composites industry,” said Dr. Josef Klingele, head of Composite Systems. For tapes, tape fabrics and complex 3D fabrics, in the machines and production lines of the Composite Systems range, set up in 2014, the machine builder combines the unrivaled expertise collected in its globally respected Weaving Machines and Specialty Machines business units. Particularly with the extremely versatile Roving weaving machine for processing high-performance materials like carbon, glass and aramid fibers, the family company on the shores of Lake Constance has been the preferred partner for technical weavers worldwide for over 40 years. With core skills in textile and plastic processing collected in its Composite Systems business unit, Dornier is building its reputation as a reliable equipment provider partner for the burgeoning composite industry.

Complex 3D fabrics and multilayer structures

Very high dynamic loads, good impact resistance and outstanding damage tolerance — it is often the case that the requirements placed on modern composite components simply cannot be met with layered textile reinforcements. The solution: multilayer, integrally reinforced 3D fabrics. These can be produced economically on 3D weaving machines from Dornier. With an innovative fabric guidance system, fabrics can be manufactured with thickness of up to 100 millimeters. For this, the textile weave pattern is first developed in a virtual environment and then transferred digitally to the weaving machine controller.

Latest machine generation for reinforcement fabrics

“Manufacturing technologies are in a permanent state of evolution and optimization,” said Klingele. These days, both dry and fully impregnated tapes can be produced in widths up to 600 millimeters on the Dornier tape production line at manufacturing speeds as high as 30 meters per minute. Then, the finished tapes are processed further on the tape weaving machine to create textiles which are ideal for structural reinforcement and design applications. “The latest machine generation is now available for fabric widths up to 285 centimeters”, added Klingele. This represents a significant increase in productivity and less waste particularly for applications involving thermoplastic composite materials.

High-quality composites on custom-built systems

The challenges facing the composite industry are enormously diverse; no two machines for manufacturing semi-finished goods are the same. In order to meet specific customer requirements, DORNIER has established its own technology center where it develops and tests complex machine and system concepts for optimal production of semi-finished products jointly with the customer. For example, trials are conducted in a tape laboratory facility here on the manufacture of thermoplastically fully impregnated tapes, and of tape-based fabrics on a tape weaving machine. A 3D weaving machine for complex multilayer fabrics and a high-performance weaving machine for flat weaves are also available for running tests. “It is just not possible to make the high-quality textile reinforcements needed for cars, aircraft and machine building on standard machines,” said Klingele.

Posted March 1, 2019

Source: Lindauer Dornier GmbH

Shasta Linen Supply Offers Additional Consumer Confidence with Two Hygienically Clean Certifications

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — March 1, 2019 — Shasta Linen Supply, Sacramento, Calif., recently earned two Hygienically Clean certifications for its laundry: Hygienically Clean Healthcare and Hygienically Clean Food Service. These certifications reflect Shasta’s commitment to best management practices (BMPs) in laundering as verified by on-site inspection and its capability to produce hygienically clean textiles as quantified by ongoing microbial testing.

The Hygienically Clean Healthcare and Hygienically Clean Food Service certifications confirm the laundry’s continuing dedication to infection prevention, compliance with recognized industry standards and processing healthcare textiles using BMPs as described in its quality assurance documentation, a focal point for Hygienically Clean inspectors’ evaluation. The independent, third-party inspection must also confirm essential evidence that:

  • Employees are properly trained and protected;
  • Managers understand regulatory requirements;
  • OSHA-compliant; and
  • Physical plant operates effectively.

To achieve certification initially, laundries must pass three rounds of outcome-based microbial testing, indicating that their processes are producing, in this case, Hygienically Clean Healthcare and Food Service textiles with diminished presence of yeast, mold and harmful bacteria. They also must pass facility inspections. To maintain their certification, quarterly testing is mandatory to ensure that as laundry conditions such as water quality, textile fabric composition and wash chemistry change, their laundered product quality is consistently maintained. This process eliminates subjectivity by focusing on outcomes and results that verify textiles cleaned in these facilities meet appropriate hygienically clean standards and BMPs.

For Hygienically Clean Healthcare certification:

  • Hospitals, surgery centers, medical offices, nursing homes and other medical facilities can know that the certified laundry is effective in helping to protect healthcare operations by verifying quality control procedures in linen, uniform and facility services operations related to the handling of textiles containing blood and other potentially infectious materials:
    • Hygienically Clean certified laundries use processes, chemicals and BMPs acknowledged by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, American National Standards Institute and others. Introduced in 2012, Hygienically Clean Healthcare brought to North America the international cleanliness standards for healthcare linens and garments used worldwide by the Certification Association for Professional Textile Services and the European Committee for Standardization.
    • Objective experts in epidemiology, infection control, nursing and other healthcare professions work with Hygienically Clean launderers to ensure the certification continues to enforce the highest standards for producing clean healthcare textiles.

For Hygienically Clean Food Service certification:

  • Full- and limited service restaurants and other food service operations can know that the certified laundry is effective in helping to protect their operation by verifying quality control procedures in linen, uniform and facility services operations related to Food Service.
  • Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) practices are examined in the Hygienically Clean Food Service inspection process, evaluating the plant’s techniques for:
    • Conducting hazard analysis
    • Determining CCPs, monitoring their control, correcting them if not under control
    • Validating and verifying HACCP system effectiveness
    • Documenting and record-keeping to show ongoing conformance
  • Inspections also evaluate practices relevant to handling and processing textile products used in food manufacturing/processing establishments for adherence to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) directives. Introduced in January 2016, Hygienically Clean Food Service brought to linen and uniform service laundering in North America the international cleanliness standards used worldwide by the Certification Association for Professional Textile Services and the European Committee for Standardization.

“Congratulations to Shasta Linen Supply on their certifications,” said Joseph Ricci, TRSA president and CEO. “These achievements prove their dedication to building their customers’ confidence that their laundry takes every step possible to prevent human illness.”

Shasta Linen Supply is family-owned and -operated and has been processing and leasing linens, uniforms and other textile products to more than 1,200 business and professional firms in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys for more than 60 years.

Posted March 1, 2019

Source: TRSA

IDEA®2019 Exhibitor Preview: Oerlikon

NEUMÜNSTER, Germany — February 28, 2019 — Oerlikon presents its complete nonwoven plant portfolio for the production of airlaid, meltblown, spunbonded and hybrid materials at this year’s IDEA in Miami March 25-28. The focus of its presentation will be on solutions for hygiene, medical and other disposable nonwovens. Visitors to this year’s IDEA can inform themselves on the wide range of products at Oerlikon’s exhibition stand (no. 1724).

Two strong partnerships for disposable nonwovens


While two years ago the Nonwoven business unit of the Oerlikon Manmade Fibers segment focused almost exclusively on solutions for technical applications, the company has now expanded its product portfolio to include solutions for disposable nonwovens by establishing strong partnerships.

Oerlikon & Teknoweb Materials – two strong partners for the nonwoven industry


As early as spring 2017, Oerlikon Manmade Fibers’ Nonwoven business unit had entered into a strategic partnership with the Italian company Teknoweb Materials. Teknoweb Materials is an established technology supplier in the field of wipes and other disposable nonwovens. With its LEVRA technology, the company has its own patented, particularly efficient manufacturing process for wipes. It also has extensive process know-how on the making and further processing of these nonwoven materials. The Nonwoven business unit of Oerlikon’s Manmade Fibers segment completes this partnership with its well-established machine and plant solutions. Teknoweb Materials will also be represented at IDEA at the Oerlikon exhibition stand (no. 1724).

Cooperation with Shaoyang Textile Machinery


For spunmelt systems solutions for hygiene and medical applications, Oerlikon has been in cooperation with the Chinese machine and plant manufacturer Shaoyang Textile Machinery since Autumn of last year. The goal of these cooperation partners is to advance the international marketing of spunmelt plants outside of China. Oerlikon Manmade Fibers’ Nonwoven business unit contributes its plant engineering know-how and is responsible for product and process guarantees. Oerlikon also assumes the overall project responsibility as well as world-wide customer service outside of China. In return, Shaoyang, with its headquarters in the city of the same name in the Hunan province, supplies the plant technologies. The advantage for the customer: competitive solutions at an attractive price level with comparatively low investments.

Posted February 28, 2019

Source: Oerlikon

CARBIOS Produces First PET-Bottles From 100-Percent Recycled Plastic Waste

CLERMONT-FERRAND, France — February 27, 2019 — CARBIOS, a company developing new bioindustrial solutions to reinvent the lifecycle of plastic and textile polymers, today announced it has successfully produced the first PET-bottles made with 100-percent recycled purified terephthalic acid (rPTA), through the enzymatic biorecycling of plastic waste. This major milestone is a world-first and confirms the potential of the company’s technology to engage the whole industry in a responsible transition towards a circular economy.

Alain Marty, chief scientific officer at Carbios, commented: “We have successfully developed the first biological process with which all kinds of PET plastic waste can be broken down into its original components and reused to produce virgin plastic products for applications such as PET-bottles. This new step shows the strong potential of Carbios’ enzymatic technology and provides a breakthrough solution to help solve society’s growing waste problem.”

Previously, Carbios demonstrated that its proprietary biorecycling technology, based on the use of bioengineered enzymes, had the ability to turn PET plastic waste back into its original components at a rate of 97 percent in only 16 hours. It had also demonstrated that virgin PET can be made with 100-percent rPTA via its proprietary biorecycling process, which uses all kinds of post-consumer PET plastic bottles (clear, colored, opaque, complex). By demonstrating today that 100-percent rPTA can be used to produce

PET-bottles that match brand and customer requirements, this technology proves to be a potential game-changer in the transition towards a circular economy that will benefit the environment and future generations.

PET is the most common polyester on the market. It is used to produce plastic packaging, textile fibers, and nearly 500 billion units of plastic bottles each year1. It is a market expected to grow 4.8% annually, from 2017 to 20252. By decoupling the production of new plastic bottles from petrochemical feedstock3 and making waste collection economically more viable, Carbios’ technology offers a sustainable and efficient solution to change the way we produce some of the most commonly used plastic products and meet the needs of brand-owners and consumers.

Jean-Claude Lumaret, CEO of Carbios, added: “The plastics industry faces fundamental challenges related to sustainability. Our technology, based on a circular model, reuses resources rather than consuming them. This new milestone takes us one step closer to bringing our technology to the market. With the construction of our demonstration plant to start later this year, we’re aiming to engage the whole plastics industry in a transition towards a circular economy and take a leadership role as a global license provider for the biorecycling of PET plastics and fibers.”

1: Citi GPS – Global Perspectives & Solutions – Rethinking Single-Use Plastics (August 2018)

2: https://www.recycling-magazine.com/2019/01/24/market-study-sees-lots-of-potential-for-recycled-plastic/

3: How much oil is used to make plastic? https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=34&t=6

Posted February 27, 2019

Source: Carbios

A. William Higgins Appointed Chairman Of Albany International Corp. Board

ROCHESTER, N.H. — February 25, 2019 — Albany International Corp. announced today that Director A. William Higgins has been appointed as chairman of its Board of Directors, succeeding Director Erkie Kailbourne, who had served as chairman since 2008. Kailbourne will remain on the Board.

Higgins, age 60, joined the Albany Board in 2016, and currently serves as chairman of the Compensation Committee. He also serves as a director of Kaman Corp., a diversified aerospace and industrial distribution company, and Bristow Group Inc., a leading global industrial aviation services provider.

Outgoing Albany Chairman Kailbourne said: “Bill’s experience in public company leadership roles, including his experience chairing a public company board, makes him the ideal person to lead Albany’s Board during this exciting period of growth. His leadership skills have been evident to his fellow Albany Directors since joining the Board in 2016, most recently during his chairing of the Compensation Committee. While I am grateful for having had the opportunity to serve as the company’s chairman for the last ten years, I am just as grateful to be able to leave the chairmanship in the hands of a colleague as capable, trusted and talented as Bill Higgins.”

Chairman Higgins said: “I am honored and grateful to be appointed as Albany’s chairman by my colleagues on the company’s board. I look forward to working closely with my fellow directors, and especially with President and CEO Olivier Jarrault, during this especially exciting time in Albany’s history. With their help, I will endeavor to lead the Board with the same skill as Erkie has for the past decade.”

Posted February 27, 2019

Source: Albany International Corp.

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