Manufacturing grew in December

The Institute for Supply Management-Milwaukee’s monthly Report on Business showed continued growth for Milwaukee manufacturers in December.
The seasonally adjusted PMI, or production manufacturing index, for southeast Wisconsin and northern Illinois was 58 last month, up from 57 in November.
Compiled by Marquette University’s Center for Supply Chain Management, the report also includes selected comments from manufacturers in the area.
According to those comments, the overall pace of the economy is still slow and steady while suppliers were busy shipping as much product as possible before the end of the year. Some expect a consistent and slight demand increase in Q1 and Q2.
One business reported “finally adding some staff after 26 percent reduction during 2009 crisis,” while others said retirements are reducing the total workforce.
Other indicators in the report showed Milwaukee-area manufacturing employment grew 3.9 percent in December and production remained strong. However, new orders are slowing and inventories are declining.