Production Activity Starts 2022 With Near 3-Point Boost

TheGardner Business Intelligence (GBI): Precision Machining Index closed January up nearly 3 points, ending the month at 59.9. (Seelast month’s reading.) January’s data reported a quickening expansion in total new orders, production and backlog activity. Additional gains were stalled by falling readings for employment and export orders. January’s export reading fell further below 50 for a second month, indicating a quickening contraction in such activity. Separately, the decline in employment activity indicated only slowing expansion.

在过去的六个月,商店那时点工作d to do more with less. January’s 6-month high production reading represents merely the latest evidence of this fact. Historically, such strong performance readings have only been reported during expansionary phases of the business cycle such as during 2014-2015 and 2017-2018. However, during those times production readings did not have to contend with an emaciated labor market and crippled supply chains, both of which are choking production levels from making greater gains.