Non-Manufacturing's Growth Rate Slows

Dec. 5, 2005
For the 32nd consecutive month, the non-manufacturing sector of the U.S. economy grew in November. But, like the manufacturing sector, it grew more slowly than in October. The non-manufacturing business activity index compiled by the Institute for ...

For the 32nd consecutive month, the non-manufacturing sector of the U.S. economy grew in November. But, like the manufacturing sector, it grew more slowly than in October.

The non-manufacturing business activity index compiled by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) was 58.5% last month, down 1.5 percentage points from October's 60%. A figure above 50% indicates that the non-manufacturing sector generally is expanding; a figure below 50% indicates the sector is contracting.

"There is still significant concern about the relatively high level of energy prices and its impact on freight costs and on the prices of other materials and services," notes Ralph G. Kauffman, chair of ISM's non-manufacturing business survey committee and coordinator of the Supply Chain Management Program at the University of Houston -- Downtown. "There is also concern about shortages of materials in some categories and about the availability of transportation service."

Popular Sponsored Recommendations

Empowering the Modern Workforce: The Power of Connected Worker Technologies

March 1, 2024
Explore real-world strategies to boost worker safety, collaboration, training, and productivity in manufacturing. Emphasizing Industry 4.0, we'll discuss digitalization and automation...

3 Best Practices to Create a Product-Centric Competitive Advantage with PRO.FILE PLM

Jan. 25, 2024
Gain insight on best practices and strategies you need to accelerate engineering change management and reduce time to market. Register now for your opportunity to accelerate your...

Transformative Capabilities for XaaS Models in Manufacturing

Feb. 14, 2024
The manufacturing sector is undergoing a pivotal shift toward "servitization," or enhancing product offerings with services and embracing a subscription model. This transition...

Shifting Your Business from Products to Service-Based Business Models: Generating Predictable Revenues

Oct. 27, 2023
Executive summary on a recent IndustryWeek-hosted webinar sponsored by SAP

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!