ISM: Manufacturing (CONT’D FROM PAGE 8)
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
Inventories Index registered 50.8 percent, 1.1 percentage points higher than the February reading of 49.7 percent. The Prices Index registered 85.6 percent, down 0.4 per- centage point compared to the February reading of 86 percent. The New Export Orders Index registered 54.5 percent, a decrease of 2.7 percentage points compared to the February reading of 57.2 percent. The Imports Index registered 56.7 percent, a 0.6-percentage point increase from the February reading of 56.1 percent. “The manufacturing economy continued its recovery in March. However, Survey Committee Members reported that their companies and suppliers continue to struggle to meet increasing rates of demand due to coronavirus (COVID-19) impacts limiting availability of parts and mate- rials. Extended lead times, wide-scale shortages of critical basic materials, rising commodities prices and difficulties in transporting products are affecting 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 manufactur- ing-growth potential. “Optimistic panel sentiment increased, with eight posi- tive comments for every cautious comment, compared to a 5-to-1 ratio in February. 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 at an all-time low and (3) Backlog of Orders Index growing to an all-time high. Con- sumption (measured by the Production and Employment indexes) contributed positively (a combined 10.1-percent- age point increase) to the Manufacturing PMI calculation. “All top six industries reported moderate to strong ex- pansion. The Employment Index expanded for the fourth straight month, but panelists continue to note significant difficulties in attracting and retaining labor at their com- panies’ and suppliers’ facilities. Inputs — expressed as supplier deliveries, inventories, and imports — continued to support input-driven constraints to production expan- sion, at higher rates compared to February. Inputs posi- tively contributed to the PMI calculation, by a combined 5.7 percentage points. The importation of items marginally slowed in the period, driven by port backlogs. The Prices Index expanded for the 10th consecutive month, indicating continued supplier pricing power and scarcity of supply chain goods. “All of the six biggest manufacturing industries — Com- puter & Electronic Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Transportation Equip- ment; Chemical Products; and Petroleum & Coal Products, in that order — registered strong growth in March. “Manufacturing performed well for the 10th straight month, with demand, consumption and inputs registering strong growth compared to February. Labor-market diffi- culties at panelists’ companies and their suppliers persist. End-user lead times (for refilling customers’ inventories)
SAUER SYSTEM www.sauersystem.com
Sauer provides intelligent solutions for scoring, slitting, slit-scoring, and perforating on corrugators and floor slitters; and glue tab cutting, creasing, slotting, trimming and scrap chopping on presses. New, featured offerings include FRX Adjustable Folding Rail System and G3 Scoring System: the latest proven creasing technology on the market.
STAFFORD GROUP www.go2stafford.com
Interactive website for Stafford Corrugated Products and Stafford Cutting Dies. Featuring online ordering of replace- ment parts. Also, visitors can automatically calculate sheet size for most die-cut standards.
SUN AUTOMATION GROUP ® www.sunautomation.com
SUN Automation Group® is a global industry leader provid- ing corrugated box plants with innovative equipment for feeding, printing and converting. The wide range of prod- ucts are proven solutions for increasing production, effi- ciency, and profitability. With 24/7 on-site technical support, SUN Automation is known for its great service and care. THACKER INDUSTRIAL SERVICE COMPANY www.thackerindustrial.com Specializing in corrugated machinery, TISCO offers quali- ty-made products, support services, and more. TISCO has established a reputation of dependability, not only in the product, but in continued service support. With more than 25 years of experience, TISCO installs equipment and ma- chinery, moves or sets up entire plants, rewires and rebuilds - all over the world. TISCO maintains a full fleet of trucks and equipment to perform to your requirements, anywhere, anytime. VT GROUP www.vtgrouponl ine.com VT offers prepress services for the POP display and corru- gated shipping container industry including graphic design, optimized digitally imaged printing plates and innovative pre-mounting solutions. Our large-format digital printing fa- cility (Digital Impact) is a leading short-run manufacturer of distinctive POP displays and signage where litho-like graph- ics are preferred.
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www.boardconvertingnews.com
April 12, 2021
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