TEMPE, Ariz. — September 1, 2022 — Economic activity in the manufacturing sector grew in August, with the overall economy achieving a 27th consecutive month of growth, say 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 August Manufacturing PMI® registered 52.8 percent, the same reading as recorded in July. This figure indicates expansion in the overall economy for the 27th month in a row after contraction in April and May 2020. For a second straight month, the Manufacturing PMI® figure is the lowest since June 2020, when it registered 52.4 percent. The New Orders Index registered 51.3 percent, 3.3 percentage points higher than the 48 percent recorded in July. The Production Index reading of 50.4 percent is a 3.1-percentage point decrease compared to July’s figure of 53.5 percent. The Prices Index registered 52.5 percent, down 7.5 percentage points compared to the July figure of 60 percent; this is the index’s lowest reading since June 2020 (51.3 percent). The Backlog of Orders Index registered 53 percent, 1.7 percentage points above the July reading of 51.3 percent. After three straight months of contraction, the Employment Index expanded at 54.2 percent, 4.3 percentage points higher than the 49.9 percent recorded in July. The Supplier Deliveries Index reading of 55.1 percent is 0.1 percentage point lower than the July figure of 55.2 percent. The Inventories Index registered 53.1 percent, 4.2 percentage points lower than the July reading of 57.3 percent. The New Export Orders Index contracted at 49.4 percent, down 3.2 percentage points compared to July’s figure of 52.6 percent. The Imports Index remained in expansion territory at 52.5 percent, but 1.9 percentage points below the July reading of 54.4 percent.”

Fiore continues, “The U.S. manufacturing sector continues expanding at rates similar to the prior two months. New order rates returned to expansion levels, supplier deliveries remain at appropriate tension levels and prices softened again, reflecting movement toward supply/demand balance. According to Business Survey Committee respondents’ comments, companies continued to hire at strong rates in August, with few indications of layoffs, hiring freezes or head-count reductions through attrition. Panelists reported lower rates of quits, a positive trend. Prices expansion eased dramatically in August, which — when coupled with lead times easing — should bring buyers back into the market, improving new order levels. Sentiment remained optimistic regarding demand, with five positive growth comments for every cautious comment. Panelists continue to express unease about a softening economy, with 18 percent of comments noting concern about order book contraction. Twelve percent of panelists’ comments reflect growing worries about total supply chain inventory. Demand increased, with the (1) New Orders Index returning to expansion, (2) Customers’ Inventories Index remaining at a low level, retreating slightly compared to July and (3) Backlog of Orders Index increasing its rate of growth. Consumption (measured by the Production and Employment indexes) improved during the period, with a combined positive 1.2-percentage point impact on the Manufacturing PMI® calculation. The Employment Index returned to expansion after three months of contraction, and the Production Index lost ground but remained in growth territory. With the gains in hiring and fewer supplier delivery issues, production expansion should improve in September. Inputs — expressed as supplier deliveries, inventories and imports — continued to constrain production expansion, but to a lesser extent compared to July. The Supplier Deliveries Index indicated deliveries slowed at a slower rate in August, while the Inventories Index grew at a slower rate as well. The Imports Index expanded in August for the third consecutive month, but at a slower rate compared to July. The Prices Index increased for the 27th consecutive month, at a much slower rate compared to July.

“Of the six biggest manufacturing industries, five — Petroleum & Coal Products; Transportation Equipment; Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products — registered moderate-to-strong growth in August.

“Manufacturing performed well for the 27th straight month. With (1) supplier delivery performance recording its fourth straight month of improvement, (2) price increase growth slowing significantly for the second consecutive month, (3) hiring and total employment both positive and expanding and (4) lead times easing across all three categories of purchasing activity, the sector is at or approaching supply/demand equilibrium,” says Fiore.

Ten manufacturing industries reported growth in August, in the following order: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Transportation Equipment; Computer & Electronic Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Plastics & Rubber Products; Primary Metals; Machinery; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products. The seven industries reporting contraction in August compared to July, in the following order are: Wood Products; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Furniture & Related Products; Paper Products; Chemical Products; Fabricated Metal Products; and Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components.

What Respondents Are Saying

“Demand from customers is still strong, but much of that is because there is still fear of not getting product due to constraints. They are stocking up. There will be a reckoning in the market when the music stops, and everyone’s inventories are bloated.” [Computer & Electronic Products]

“Sales in target business softening month-over-month, down 12 percent by revenue. Inventory days are increasing.” [Chemical Products]

“Strong sales continue. The impact of the chip shortage is slowing, and the decreasing COVID-19 resurgence in Asia is now affecting production more than chips.” [Transportation Equipment]

“Supply in most groups is slowly increasing, but demand appears to be outpacing — causing pricing to either stabilize or increase.” [Petroleum & Coal Products]

“Inventories are far too high, and we are on pins and needles to see how quickly and at what magnitude our busy season begins. We will start seeing that in the next few weeks.” [Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products]

“Continue to struggle with electronic component shortages. Several smaller machine shops are (manufacturing) the pacing item for our production due to lack of direct labor machinists.” [Machinery]

“Overall, I have seen much improvement in the availability of raw materials. However, trucking issues continued, and production capacity within some industries remains tight. I have growing concerns that as cement and mineral companies run ‘all out’ to meet demand, we will see more downtime due to maintenance (issues).” [Nonmetallic Mineral Products]

“Demand is softening; however, we are continuing to produce to replenish inventory.” [Primary Metals]

“Orders are still strong through the end of the year, but there is a feeling that customers may start pulling back on orders, either cancelling them or pushing them into 2023.” [Plastics & Rubber Products]

“Business conditions are good, and demand is strong. Securing enough raw material supply to keep up is still a challenge.” [Miscellaneous Manufacturing]

Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® data is seasonally adjusted for the New Orders, Production, Employment and Inventories indexes.

*Number of months moving in current direction.

Commodities Reported Up/Down In Price And In Short Supply

Commodities Up in Price


Caustic Soda (6); Corrugate (7); Electrical Components (21); Electronic Components (21); Freight (22); Hydraulic Components; Natural Gas (14); Paper; Plastic Resins* (8); Rubber Based Products (13); Steel Products* (24); and Styrene Based Plastics.

Commodities Down in Price

Aluminum (4); Copper (2); Corn Products; Crude Oil; Freight; Gasoline; Plastic Resins* (3); Polypropylene; Steel (4); Steel — Carbon (2); Steel — Hot Rolled (4); Steel — Scrap; Steel — Stainless; and Steel Products* (2).

Commodities in Short Supply


Adhesives and Paints (2); Electrical Components (23); Electronic Components (21); Hydraulic Components (4); Plastic Resins (4); Rubber Based Products (3); Semiconductors (21); and Wire Harnesses.

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

*Indicates both up and down in price.

August 2022 Manufacturing Index Summaries

Manufacturing PMI®

The U.S. manufacturing sector grew in August, as the Manufacturing PMI registered 52.8 percent, the same reading recorded in July. “The Manufacturing PMI continued to indicate sector expansion and U.S. economic growth in August. All five subindexes that directly factor into the Manufacturing PMI (New Orders, Production, Employment, Supplier Deliveries and Inventories) were in growth territory. Of the six biggest manufacturing industries, five — Petroleum & Coal Products; Transportation Equipment; Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products — registered moderate-to-strong growth in August. The Production Index decreased 3.1 percentage points but remained in expansion territory. The Supplier Deliveries Index slowed at a slightly slower rate while the Inventories Index grew at a slower rate, indicating at least a slight easing of supply chain congestion. Nine of the 10 subindexes were positive for the period; a reading of ‘too low’ for the Customers’ Inventories Index is considered a positive for future production,” 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 Manufacturing PMI above 48.7 percent, over a period of time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy. Therefore, the August Manufacturing PMI indicates the overall economy grew in August for the 27th consecutive month following contraction in April and May 2020. “The past relationship between the Manufacturing PMI and the overall economy indicates that the Manufacturing PMI for August (52.8 percent) corresponds to a 1.4-percent increase in real gross domestic product (GDP) on an annualized basis,” says Fiore.

The Last 12 Months

New Orders

ISM’s New Orders Index increased in August by 3.3 percentage points to 51.3 percent compared to 48 percent reported in July. This indicates that new order volumes returned to expansion after two months of contraction. “Of the six largest manufacturing sectors, only two — Computer & Electronic Products and Transportation Equipment — increased new orders at a moderate level. Lead times remained elevated but August saw a decrease across capital expenditures, raw materials and maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) supplies. With prices easing, more buyers should resume order placements as we close the third quarter,” says Fiore. A New Orders Index above 52.9 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Census Bureau’s series on manufacturing orders (in constant 2000 dollars).

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, six reported growth in new orders in August, in the following order: Textile Mills; Computer & Electronic Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Transportation Equipment; Primary Metals; and Plastics & Rubber Products. Eight industries reported a decline in new orders in August, in the following order: Wood Products; Furniture & Related Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Chemical Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Machinery; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing.

Production

The Production Index registered 50.4 percent in August, 3.1 percentage points lower than the July reading of 53.5 percent, indicating growth for the 27th consecutive month. “Of the top six industries, three — Petroleum & Coal Products; Transportation Equipment; and Machinery — expanded in August. Materials availability and the labor pool continue to recover; with quits easing and supplier deliveries improving, production should expand at a faster rate in September,” says Fiore. An index above 52.4 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Federal Reserve Board’s Industrial Production figures.

The six industries reporting growth in production during the month of August — listed in order — are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Petroleum & Coal Products; Transportation Equipment; Machinery; and Plastics & Rubber Products. The nine industries reporting a decrease in production in August — in the following order — are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Textile Mills; Wood Products; Paper Products; Primary Metals; Chemical Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Fabricated Metal Products.

Employment

ISM’s Employment Index registered 54.2 percent in August, 4.3 percentage points above the July reading of 49.9 percent. “The index returned to expansion territory after three months of contraction. Of the six big manufacturing sectors, three (Petroleum & Coal Products; Transportation Equipment; and Machinery) expanded. Labor management activity improved in August: A larger share of comments (11 percent in August, up from 7 percent in July) noted greater hiring ease, and among respondents whose companies are hiring, 18 percent expressed difficulty in filling positions, down from 35 percent in July. Turnover rates eased, with 33 percent of comments citing backfill and retirement issues, a decrease from 39 percent in July. Employment gains in August should translate into stronger expansion in production growth in September,” says Fiore. An Employment Index above 50.5 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on manufacturing employment.

Of 18 manufacturing industries, nine reported employment growth in August, in the following order: Printing & Related Support Activities; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Transportation Equipment; Furniture & Related Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Plastics & Rubber Products; Machinery; and Fabricated Metal Products. The six industries reporting a decrease in employment in August — in the following order — are: Wood Products; Paper Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Chemical Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing.

Supplier Deliveries†


The delivery performance of suppliers to manufacturing organizations was slower in August, as the Supplier Deliveries Index registered 55.1 percent, 0.1 percentage point lower than the 55.2 percent reported in July. Of the top six manufacturing industries, four (Computer & Electronic Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Chemical Products; and Transportation Equipment) reported slower deliveries. “This indicates the best supplier deliveries performance since January 2020, prior to the full onset of the coronavirus pandemic, when the index registered 53 percent. Deliveries slowed at a slightly slower rate compared to the previous month — 19.6 percent of panelists reported slower deliveries in August, compared to 21.4 percent in July. Panelists’ comments again indicate that suppliers, despite their labor problems, performed better in August compared to previous months,” says Fiore. A reading below 50 percent indicates faster deliveries, while a reading above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries.

Nine manufacturing industries reported slower supplier deliveries in August, in the following order: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Primary Metals; Computer & Electronic Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Paper Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Chemical Products; Transportation Equipment; and Fabricated Metal Products. Four industries reported faster supplier deliveries in August as compared to July: Wood Products; Furniture & Related Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; and Plastics & Rubber Products.

Inventories

The Inventories Index registered 53.1 percent in August, 4.2 percentage points lower than the 57.3 percent reported for July. “Manufacturing inventories expanded at a slower rate compared to July. Of the six big manufacturing industries, five (Petroleum & Coal Products; Machinery; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Computer & Electronic Products; and Chemical Products) grew manufacturing raw material inventories in August. Twelve percent of general comments indicate that panelists are acting aggressively to manage current and future manufacturing inventories spread across the supply chain. This is due to slowing rates of new orders — outside of normal lead times — and many suppliers insisting on ‘no cancel, no defer’ order acceptance in the last 18 months, which are greater supply management concerns,” says Fiore. An Inventories Index greater than 44.4 percent, over time, is generally consistent with expansion in the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) figures on overall manufacturing inventories (in chained 2000 dollars).

Of 18 manufacturing industries, the eight reporting higher inventories in August — in the following order — are: Petroleum & Coal Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Machinery; Plastics & Rubber Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; and Chemical Products. The only industry reporting contracting inventories in August is Paper Products. Nine industries reported no change in inventories in August as compared to July.

Customers’ Inventories†


ISM’s Customers’ Inventories Index registered 38.9 percent in August, 0.6 percentage point lower than the 39.5 percent reported for July, indicating that customers’ inventory levels were considered too low. “Customers’ inventories are too low for the 71st month in a row, a positive for future production growth. The index registered below 40 percent for the 25th consecutive month,” says Fiore.

Three industries (Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Furniture & Related Products; and Wood Products) reported customers’ inventories as too high in August. The 11 industries reporting customers’ inventories as too low— listed in order — are: Textile Mills; Fabricated Metal Products; Primary Metals; Transportation Equipment; Petroleum & Coal Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Machinery; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Chemical Products.

Prices†

The ISM Prices Index registered 52.5 percent in August, 7.5 percentage points lower compared to the July reading of 60 percent, indicating raw materials prices increased for the 27th consecutive month, at a much slower rate. This is the first Prices Index reading below 60 percent since August 2020 (59.5 percent). Over the past five months, the index has decreased 34.6 percentage points, including a combined 26-percentage point plunge in July and August. “The slowing in price increases is being driven by (1) relaxation in the energy markets, (2) softening in the copper, steel, aluminum and corrugate markets and (3) continuing sluggishness in chemical demand. Notably, 26.7 percent of respondents reported paying lower prices in August, compared to 21.5 percent in July,” says Fiore. A Prices Index above 52.6 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Producer Price Index for Intermediate Materials.

In August, eight of 18 industries reported paying increased prices for raw materials, in the following order: Printing & Related Support Activities; Computer & Electronic Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Furniture & Related Products; Paper Products; Machinery; Chemical Products; and Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components. The seven industries reporting paying decreased prices for raw materials in August — in the following order — are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Wood Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Primary Metals; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Transportation Equipment.

Backlog of Orders†


ISM’s Backlog of Orders Index registered 53 percent in August, a 1.7-percentage point increase compared to the 51.3 percent reported in July, indicating order backlogs expanded for the 26th straight month. Of the six largest manufacturing sectors, three — Transportation Equipment; Machinery; and Computer & Electronic Products — expanded their order backlogs. “Backlogs expanded in August at a faster rate as new order levels recovered, and production expanded minimally in the period. A slowing in price increases is a positive for future new orders growth and backlogs expansion,” says Fiore.

Seven industries reported growth in order backlogs in August, in the following order: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Transportation Equipment; Plastics & Rubber Products; Machinery; Computer & Electronic Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing. The four industries reporting lower backlogs in August are: Wood Products; Furniture & Related Products; Chemical Products; and Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components. Six industries reported no change in backlogs of orders in August as compared to July.

New Export Orders†

ISM’s New Export Orders Index registered 49.4 percent in August, 3.2 percentage points below the July reading of 52.6 percent. “The New Export Orders Index contracted in August after being in expansionary territory for 25 consecutive months. Weakness in European economies and China still catching up after COVID-19 lockdowns continue to constrain new export orders and impact the index number. Of the six big industry sectors, two — Computer & Electronic Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products — expanded,” says Fiore.

Three industries reported growth in new export orders in August: Plastics & Rubber Products; Computer & Electronic Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products. The six industries reporting a decrease in new export orders in August — in the following order — are: Wood Products; Furniture & Related Products; Primary Metals; Fabricated Metal Products; Chemical Products; and Machinery. Eight industries reported no change in exports in August as compared to July.

Imports†

ISM’s Imports Index registered 52.5 percent in August, a decrease of 1.9 percentage points compared to July’s figure of 54.4 percent. “Imports grew in August despite port congestion on the East Coast and containers not moving in the most efficient manner,” says Fiore.

The eight industries reporting growth in imports in August — in the following order — are: Textile Mills; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; Machinery; Plastics & Rubber Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing. Five industries reported lower volumes of imports in August: Wood Products; Primary Metals; Paper Products; Fabricated Metal Products; and Computer & Electronic Products.

†The Supplier Deliveries, Customers’ Inventories, Prices, Backlog of Orders, New Export Orders, and Imports indexes do not meet the accepted criteria for seasonal adjustments.

Buying Policy

The average commitment lead time for Capital Expenditures in August was 180 days, a decrease of three days compared to July. Average lead time in August for Production Materials was 96 days, a decrease of four days. Average lead time for Maintenance, Repair and Operating (MRO) Supplies decreased by five days, to 46 days.

Posted: September 1, 2022

Source: Institute for Supply Management

MILAN — August 31, 2022 — It is an outstanding exhibition to welcome visitors to the 58th edition of Filo: “Aesthetics ’70. Brunetta’s genius dialogues with Franco’s creativity” tells of a particularly happy period for fashion and showcases five unique pieces by Francesco Fracchiolla, aka Franco, with original sketches and releases by Brunetta Moretti Mateldi, known internationally simply as “Brunetta”. Also on display, other sketches, drawings and advertisements made by Brunetta. The exhibition is curated by Elisabetta Invernici, journalist and costume historian.

“Estetica ’70” stages suggestions of art and style through Franco’s essential tailoring and Brunetta’s witty pen: fifty years later, fashion is in fact called to a new change of pace, which takes into account ecological choices deep and global thrusts poised between tradition and renewal.

It will be Franco Fracchiolla and Elisabetta Invernici who will explain to Filo partecipants the traits and contents of the collaboration between the great tailor and the designer, in a press conference to be held on Wednesday 14 September at 12pm in the Networking Area of the Salone. Massimo Moretti, Brunetta’s nephew and owner of her historical archive, will be present.

Brunetta Mateldi was a designer, journalist, writer, painter, ceramist. Always at the center of the international cultural ferment, Brunetta met, inspired and commented on the catwalk creations by Chanel and Dior, Schubert and Schiaparelli, up to the fashion shows of the great Italians of prêt-à-porter, of which she was a great friend, contended from the biggest fashion magazines, alongside Diana Wreeland, Irene Brin and Camilla Cederna. Her sketches tell more than many words.

Franco presents his first collection in May 1968. And it is a revolutionary collection in terms of colors, fabrics and proportions. Throughout the Seventies, then, the asymmetrical cuts, the geometric panels, certain spatial solutions in the double fabrics sign the Franco style and inspire Pierre Cardin himself. The colors are always intense – lobster, apple green, shocking pink, bright or pastel – yet not arrogant, rather sober thanks to a glaze that makes them unique and soft. In those years, his proposals come to life on the pages of newspapers in the original Brunetta section and light up the reportages by Camilla Cederna. Today the designer is engaged in the project of a Foundation in his name.

The exhibition set up in Filo is the first stage of a journey of knowledge on the figure of Brunetta, conceived and created by Elisabetta Invernici, which will culminate in 2024.

We look forward to welcoming you at Filo on the 14th and 15th of September 2022 at Allianz MiCo – Milan

Posted: August 31, 2022

Source: Filo