TEMPE, Ariz. — June 1, 2021 — Economic activity in the manufacturing sector grew in May, with the overall economy notching a 12th 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 May Manufacturing PMI® registered 61.2 percent, an increase of 0.5 percentage point from the April reading of 60.7 percent. This figure indicates expansion in the overall economy for the 12th month in a row after contraction in April 2020. The New Orders Index registered 67 percent, increasing 2.7 percentage points from the April reading of 64.3 percent. The Production Index registered 58.5 percent, a decrease of 4 percentage points compared to the April reading of 62.5 percent. The Backlog of Orders Index registered 70.6 percent, 2.4 percentage points higher compared to the April reading of 68.2 percent. The Employment Index registered 50.9 percent; 4.2 percentage points lower than the April reading of 55.1 percent. The Supplier Deliveries Index registered 78.8 percent, up 3.8 percentage points from the April figure of 75 percent. The Inventories Index registered 50.8 percent, 4.3 percentage points higher than the April reading of 46.5 percent. The Prices Index registered 88 percent, down 1.6 percentage points compared to the April reading of 89.6 percent. The New Export Orders Index registered 55.4 percent, an increase of 0.5 percentage point compared to the April reading of 54.9 percent. The Imports Index registered 54 percent, a 1.8-percentage point increase from the April reading of 52.2 percent.”

Fiore continues, “The manufacturing economy continued expansion in May. Business Survey Committee panelists reported that their companies and suppliers continue to struggle to meet increasing levels of demand. Record-long lead times, wide-scale shortages of critical basic materials, rising commodities prices and difficulties in transporting products are continuing to affect all segments of the manufacturing economy. Worker absenteeism, short-term shutdowns due to part shortages, and difficulties in filling open positions continue to be issues that limit manufacturing-growth potential. Optimistic panel sentiment increased, with 36 positive comments for every cautious comment, compared to an 11-to-1 ratio in April. Demand expanded, with the (1) New Orders Index growing at a strong level, supported by the New Export Orders Index continuing to expand, (2) Customers’ Inventories Index hitting another all-time low and (3) Backlog of Orders Index continuing at a record-high level. Consumption (measured by the Production and Employment indexes) indicated slowing expansion, posting a combined 8.2-percentage point decrease to the Manufacturing PMI® calculation. The Employment Index expanded for the sixth straight month, but panelists continue to note significant difficulties in attracting and retaining labor at their companies’ and suppliers’ facilities. Consumption was clearly limited due to labor issues and supply constraints as demand remains very high. Inputs — expressed as supplier deliveries, inventories, and imports — continued to support input-driven constraints to production expansion, at higher rates compared to April, due to continued trouble in supplier deliveries. Inputs positively contributed to the PMI® calculation, by a combined 8.1 percentage points. Importation of items slightly improved in the period. (The Inventories and Supplier Deliveries indexes directly factor into the PMI®; the Imports Index does not.) The Prices Index expanded for the 12th consecutive month, indicating continued supplier pricing power and scarcity of supply chain goods.

“All of the six biggest manufacturing industries — Computer & Electronic Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Chemical Products; Transportation Equipment; and Petroleum & Coal Products, in that order — registered moderate to strong growth in May.

“Manufacturing performed well for the 12th straight month, with demand, consumption and inputs registering strong growth compared to April. Panelists companies and their supply chains continue to struggle to respond to strong demand due to the difficulty in hiring and retaining direct labor. Record backlog, customer inventories and raw material lead times are being reported. The manufacturing recovery has transitioned from first addressing demand headwinds, to now overcoming labor obstacles across the entire value chain,” says Fiore.

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

What Respondents Are Saying

“Supplier performance — deliveries, quality, it’s all suffering. Demand is high, and we are struggling to find employees to help us keep up.” [Computer & Electronic Products]

“Changes in currency exchange rates favorably contributed to our quarterly performance. Continued strong consumer demand for our high-quality products also provided increased sales.” [Chemical Products]

“Ongoing component shortages are driving dual sourcing and longer-term supply plans to be implemented.” [Transportation Equipment]

“Difficulty finding workers at the factory and warehouse level is not only impacting our production, but suppliers’ as well: Spot shortages and delays are common due to an inability to staff lines. Delays at the port continue to strain inventory levels.” [Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products]

“[A] lack of qualified candidates to fill both open office and shop positions is having a negative impact on production throughput. Challenges mounting for meeting delivery dates to customers due to material and services shortages and protracted lead times. This situation does not look to improve until possibly the fourth quarter of 2021 or beyond.” [Fabricated Metal Products]

“Labor shortages impacting internal and supplier production. Logistics performance is terrible.” [Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components]

“Business is good, but labor and raw materials are becoming very problematic, driving increases in costs.” [Furniture & Related Products]

“The continued global supply chain tightness and raw material shortages from the Gulf (winter storms) make it less likely that any business can recover this year. Demand is strong, but what good is that if you cannot get the materials needed to produce your finished goods?” [Nonmetallic Mineral Products]

“Seeing a high demand and backlog of orders.” [Plastics & Rubber Products]

“Very busy, but still experiencing labor shortages.” [Primary Metals]

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
Aluminum (12); Aluminum Products (2); Brass; Coatings (2); Copper (12); Copper Products (3); Corn; Corrugate (8); Corrugated Boxes (7); Diesel (5); Electrical Components (6); Electronic Components (6); Epoxy Resin; Fabricated Metal Components; Foam Products (3); Freight (7); High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) (5); Hydrochloric Acid; Labor — Temporary; Linerboard; Low-Density Polyethylene; Lubricants (2); Lumber (11); Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF); Natural Gas (2); Ocean Freight (6); Packaging Supplies (6); Paper; Paper Products (6); Plastic Containers; Plastic Resins (9); Polyethylene (4); Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Products; Polypropylene (11); Precious Metals (2); Resin-Based Products (4); Rubber Products (4); Semiconductors (4); Solvents; Soybean Products (8); Steel (10); Steel — Carbon (6); Steel — Cold Rolled (9); Steel — Galvanized; Steel — Hot Rolled (9); Steel — Scrap; Steel — Stainless (7); Steel Bars; Steel Drums; Steel Products (9); Stainless Steel Components; Wire Harnesses; Wood for Pallets (2); and Wood — Pallets (Finished Product) (6).

Commodities Down in Price
 Acetone.

Commodities in Short Supply 
Acrylates; Aluminum (2); Aluminum Products; Coatings; Corrugated Boxes (7); Electrical Components (8); Electronic Components (6); Foam Products (3); Labor — Temporary; Lumber (3); Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF); Nylon Fiber (2); Ocean Freight (2); Plastic Containers; Plastic Products (4); Plastic Resins — Other (3); Polycarbonates; Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Products; Polypropylene (2); Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Resin; Printed Circuit Boards; Printed Circuit Board Assemblies; Semiconductors (6); Steel (6); Steel — Cold Rolled; Steel — Galvanized; Steel — Hot Rolled (7); Steel — Stainless (3); Steel Bars; Steel Products (4); Steel Tubing; and Wood — Pallets (2).

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

May 2021 Manufacturing Index Summaries

Manufacturing PMI®

Manufacturing grew in May, as the Manufacturing PMI® registered 61.2 percent, 0.5 percentage point higher than the April reading of 60.7 percent. “The Manufacturing PMI® continued to indicate strong sector expansion and U.S. economic growth in May. All five subindexes that directly factor into the Manufacturing PMI® were in growth territory. All of the six biggest manufacturing industries expanded, in the following order: Computer & Electronic Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Chemical Products; Transportation Equipment; and Petroleum & Coal Products. The New Orders and Production indexes continued to expand at strong levels. The Supplier Deliveries Index continued to reflect suppliers’ difficulties in maintaining delivery rates, due to a lack of direct labor, transportation challenges and increased demand. All 10 subindexes were positive for the period; a reading of ‘too low’ for 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 43.1 percent, over a period of time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy. Therefore, the May Manufacturing PMI® indicates the overall economy grew in May for the 12th consecutive month following contraction in April 2020. “The past relationship between the Manufacturing PMI® and the overall economy indicates that the Manufacturing PMI® for May (61.2 percent) corresponds to a 5.2-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 registered 67 percent in May, up 2.7 percentage points compared to the 64.3 percent reported in April. This indicates that new orders grew for the 12th consecutive month. “All of the six largest manufacturing sectors — Computer & Electronic Products; Chemical Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; and Transportation Equipment — expanded in this order, at strong levels,” says Fiore. A New Orders Index above 52.8 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, the 16 that reported growth in new orders in May — in the following order — are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Furniture & Related Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Paper Products; Primary Metals; Computer & Electronic Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Machinery; Chemical Products; Textile Mills; Fabricated Metal Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Wood Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Transportation Equipment; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing. The only industry reporting a decline in new orders in May is Printing & Related Support Activities.

Production

The Production Index registered 58.5 percent in May, 4 percentage points lower than the April reading of 62.5 percent, indicating growth for the 12th consecutive month. “Five (Fabricated Metal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Chemical Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Transportation Equipment) of the top six industries expanded at strong levels. The index registered its lowest reading since the full recovery began in June 2020 when it registered 56 percent. Lack of direct labor and raw materials were constraints to production growth,” says Fiore. An index above 52.1 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Federal Reserve Board’s Industrial Production figures.

The 13 industries reporting growth in production during the month of May — listed in order — are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Furniture & Related Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Primary Metals; Machinery; Wood Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Chemical Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Transportation Equipment; and Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components. The two industries reporting decreased production in May are: Printing & Related Support Activities; and Paper Products.

Employment

ISM®’s Employment Index registered 50.9 percent in May, 4.2 percentage points lower than the April reading of 55.1 percent. “The Employment Index grew for the sixth month in a row. Of the six big manufacturing sectors, only two (Fabricated Metal Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products) expanded. Continued strong new-order levels, low customer inventories and expanding backlogs continue to indicate employment strength; however, survey panelists’ companies continue to struggle to meet labor-management plans. Panelists’ comments indicate an overwhelming majority of their companies are hiring or attempting to hire, with more than 50 percent of them expressing difficulty in doing so,” says Fiore. An Employment Index above 50.6 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on manufacturing employment.

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, the nine industries reporting employment growth in May — in the following order — are: Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Textile Mills; Primary Metals; Furniture & Related Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Machinery; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products. The three industries reporting a decrease in employment in May are: Printing & Related Support Activities; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; and Chemical Products.

Supplier Deliveries†

The delivery performance of suppliers to manufacturing organizations was slower in May, as the Supplier Deliveries Index registered 78.8 percent. This is 3.8 percentage points higher than the 75 percent reported in April and the highest reading since April 1974, when the index registered 82.1 percent. Five (Computer & Electronic Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Transportation Equipment; and Chemical Products) of the six top manufacturing industries reported slowing deliveries. “Deliveries slowed at a faster rate compared to the previous month. The Supplier Deliveries Index reflects difficulties suppliers continue to experience in meeting customer demand, including (1) hiring challenges, (2) longer raw materials lead times and higher prices, as well as product shortages, and (3) limited transportation availability. Supplier labor, materials and transportation constraints are not expected to diminish in the second quarter, putting further strain on panelists’ production plans and raw-materials inventory accounts. Production material lead times are at the highest level since January 1987 when we began recording lead times,” says Fiore. A reading below 50 percent indicates faster deliveries, while a reading above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries.

Of the 18 industries, 16 reported slower supplier deliveries in May, listed in the following order: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Textile Mills; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Machinery; Fabricated Metal Products; Furniture & Related Products; Paper Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; and Primary Metals. No industries reported faster supplier deliveries in May.

Inventories

The Inventories Index registered 50.8 percent in May, 4.3 percentage points higher than the 46.5 percent reported for April. The Inventories Index moved back into growth territory after contracting for one month. “Inventories remain unstable due to ongoing supplier constraints. In May, supplier delivery rates were not able to keep up with new-order and production levels, causing lack of expansion of the Inventories Index and a constraint on panelists’ companies production levels,” says Fiore. An Inventories Index greater than 44.5 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 eight industries reporting higher inventories in May — in the following order — are: Furniture & Related Products; Textile Mills; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Primary Metals; Chemical Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Fabricated Metal Products; and Transportation Equipment. The seven industries reporting a decrease in inventories in May — listed in order — are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Paper Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Machinery; and Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components.

Customers’ Inventories†

ISM®’s Customers’ Inventories Index registered 28 percent in May, 0.4 percentage point lower than the 28.4 percent reported for April, indicating that customers’ inventory levels were considered too low. “Customers’ inventories are too low for the 56th consecutive month, a positive for future production growth. For the third consecutive month, this subindex has registered its lowest reading since it was established in January 1997. For 10 straight months, the Customers’ Inventories Index has been at historically low levels,” says Fiore.

None of the 18 industries reported higher customers’ inventories in May. The 16 industries reporting customers’ inventories as too low during May — listed in order — are: Wood Products; Primary Metals; Textile Mills; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; Machinery; Plastics & Rubber Products; Paper Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Furniture & Related Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing.

Prices†


The ISM® Prices Index registered 88 percent, a decrease of 1.6 percentage points compared to the April reading of 89.6 percent, indicating raw materials prices increased for the 12th consecutive month. In the last four months, the index has been at its highest levels since July 2008, the last of five straight months over 80 percent, when it registered 90.4 percent. “Virtually all basic and intermediate manufacturing materials are experiencing price increases as a result of product scarcity and the dynamics of supply and demand,” says Fiore. A Prices Index above 52.7 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Producer Price Index for Intermediate Materials.

In May, 17 industries reported paying increased prices for raw materials, in the following order: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Furniture & Related Products; Textile Mills; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Machinery; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Fabricated Metal Products; Primary Metals; Computer & Electronic Products; Paper Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Transportation Equipment; Plastics & Rubber Products; Wood Products; Chemical Products; and Petroleum & Coal Products. No industries reported lower prices in May.

Backlog of Orders†


ISM®’s Backlog of Orders Index registered 70.6 percent in May, a 2.4-percentage point increase compared to the 68.2 percent reported in April, indicating order backlogs expanded for the 11th straight month. May’s reading is the highest since reporting for this subindex began in January 1993. “Backlogs expanded at faster rates in May, indicating 11 months of new-order intakes more than fully offsetting production outputs. Five (Fabricated Metal Products; Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Computer & Electronic Products) of the six big industry sectors reported that backlogs expanded strongly,” says Fiore.

The 15 industries reporting growth in order backlogs in May, in the following order, are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Machinery; Plastics & Rubber Products; Primary Metals; Paper Products; Wood Products; Furniture & Related Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Computer & Electronic Products. No industries reported lower order backlogs in May.

New Export Orders†

ISM®’s New Export Orders Index registered 55.4 percent in May, up 0.5 percentage point compared to the April reading of 54.9 percent. “The New Export Orders Index grew for the 11th consecutive month, and at a faster rate. Of the six big industry sectors, four (Transportation Equipment; Fabricated Metal Products; Chemical Products; and Computer & Electronic Products) expanded. New export orders were again a positive factor to the growth in the New Orders Index,” says Fiore.

The eight industries reporting growth in new export orders in May — in the following order — are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Transportation Equipment; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Fabricated Metal Products; Machinery; Chemical Products; and Computer & Electronic Products. The only industry reporting a decrease in new export orders in May is Wood Products. Seven industries reported no change in exports in May as compared to April.

Imports†


ISM®’s Imports Index registered 54 percent in May, an increase of 1.8 percentage points compared to the 52.2 percent reported for April. “Imports expanded for the 11th consecutive month, at a faster rate compared to April, reflecting continuing increases in U.S. factory demand and some amount of throughput improvement in ports of entry. Overland-transport challenges and container shortages continue to persist across the global supply chain. Imports will continue to be challenged through the third quarter of 2021,” says Fiore.

The 11 industries reporting growth in imports in May — in the following order — are: Wood Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Furniture & Related Products; Textile Mills; Chemical Products; Machinery; Plastics & Rubber Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Transportation Equipment; Fabricated Metal Products; and Computer & Electronic Products. The three industries reporting a decrease in imports in May are: Paper Products; Primary Metals; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco 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

Average commitment lead time for Capital Expenditures increased in May by one day to 148 days. Average lead time for production materials increased in May by six days to 85 days — the highest figure since ISM® began collecting this data in 1987. Average lead time for Maintenance, Repair and Operating (MRO) Supplies decreased in May by three days to 42 days.

Posted June 1, 2021

Source: Institute for Supply Management

BELMONT, N.C. — June 1, 2021 — The Gaston College Textile Technology Center Advisory Board will meet on Thursday, June 17, 2021. The meeting will be held at 11 a.m. in Room 118 of the Classroom Building on the Gaston College Kimbrell Campus.

The Kimbrell Campus is located at 7220 Wilkinson Boulevard, Belmont, N.C. 28012.

For more information or a copy of the meeting agenda, contact Sandy Hamilton at Gaston College.

Posted June 1, 2021

Source: Gaston College

W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — June 1, 2021 — Global standards organization ASTM International held its annual business meeting today. The virtual event celebrated last year’s standards development successes, including efforts to support the fight against COVID-19, and unveiled the 2020 annual report.

At the event, 2021 Board Chair John R. Logar previewed the annual report, entitled “Resilience” (available here). The report highlights the organization’s continued development of standards in the innovative fields of commercial spaceflight, drones, exo technologies, additive manufacturing, and more. It also details ASTM International’s efforts to support global health by offering no-cost access to standards used in the production and testing of personal protective equipment (PPE).

“Thanks to the efforts of our dedicated members, there are now more than 13,000 active standards that work to promote ASTM International’s mission of helping our world work better,” said Logar, senior director of aseptic processing and terminal sterilization at Johnson & Johnson Microbiological Quality and Sterility Assurance. “By providing a best-in-class development infrastructure, we aim to continuously enhance the technical quality of ASTM standards and related content.”

ASTM International’s global collaborative forum for PPE was another highlight from 2020 featured at the business meeting. The forum was created during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to address challenges facing PPE and accelerating standards development.

“We are proud to have led the charge in offering global access to vital PPE standards to help keep people safe,” said Katharine Morgan, ASTM International president. “Those efforts, coupled with the creation of our PPE forum, will continue to work towards safe, quality, and innovative personal protective equipment.”

At the annual business meeting, Morgan also announced that plans are optimistic to return to face-to-face committee meetings beginning in October 2021.

Posted June 1, 2021

Source: ASTM International