Factory Activity Pace of Growth Eased Somewhat
Growth in Tenth District manufacturing activity eased slightly, and expectations for future activity remained solid (Chart 1, Tables 1 & 2). The monthly index of raw materials prices inched upward in April and increased slightly compared to a year ago. Finished goods price indexes increased somewhat from a month ago but remained moderately higher than last year. Expectations for future raw materials and finished goods prices decreased further.
The month-over-month composite index was 25 in April, down from 37 in March and 29 in February (Tables 1 & 2). The composite index is an average of the production, new orders, employment, supplier delivery time, and raw materials inventory indexes. Increased activity was driven by growth in computer and electronic products, primary metals, and furniture manufacturing. On the other hand, the pace of growth for transportation equipment, electrical equipment, appliances, and food manufacturing declined. Month-over-month indexes remained positive, but the pace of growth eased somewhat compared to March. Indexes for production, shipments, new orders, backlog of orders, supplier delivery time, and finished goods inventories all decreased but remained positive. However, the employment index increased somewhat. Year-over-year index growth eased slightly, with a composite index of 54 in April. Shipments, capital expenditures, and employment indexes increased further from a year ago while supplier delivery time, order backlog, and finished goods inventory indexes eased slightly. The future composite index was 34 in April, a slight decrease from 41 in March. Indexes for future production, shipments, new orders, and employment all inched lower, while the future capital expenditures index was unchanged.
Manufacturing Composite Indexes
Skip to data visualization table| Date | Vs. a Month Ago | Vs. a Year Ago |
|---|---|---|
| 21-Apr | 33 | 35 |
| 21-May | 29 | 43 |
| 21-Jun | 28 | 43 |
| 21-Jul | 28 | 50 |
| 21-Aug | 25 | 50 |
| 21-Sep | 21 | 48 |
| 21-Oct | 28 | 50 |
| 21-Nov | 22 | 50 |
| 21-Dec | 22 | 50 |
| 22-Jan | 24 | 50 |
| 22-Feb | 29 | 50 |
| 22-Mar | 37 | 57 |
| 22-Apr | 25 | 54 |
Special Questions
This month contacts were asked special questions on the change in number of job openings since the beginning of the year and the impact of COVID-induced lockdowns in China. In April, 48% of firms reported a slight increase in the number of job openings compared to the beginning of the year, and 19% reported a significant increase (Chart 2). As a result of the COVID-induced lockdown in China, 70% of firms reported higher supply chain disruptions and 57% reported higher input prices. A significant share of firms reported no change in demand, capital spending, hiring, and inventories (Chart 3). However, 17% of firms reported facing lower inventories due to the COVID-induced lockdown in China.
Selected Manufacturing Comments
“Impacts of inflation on costs for materials is HUGE and getting worse - not getting better. Supply of materials still tough. Lead times still very long.”
“Increased production and new product development require more staffing. Low unemployment makes the jobs hard to fill.”
“Uptick in business and employees retiring or leaving for other opportunities.”
“We are seeing a lot of job hopping and a labor shortage.”
“Greater customer demand and turnover in personnel.”
“White collar positions getting filled. Struggling to find blue collar people.”
“Order volume is up. We have approximately 15% of our needed workforce not filled. We are having to work a lot of [overtime] to keep up. We are experiencing high turnover.”
“Need to [find] employees to keep up with increased demand. Continue to raise wages in an attempt to get associates with limited success; 16% increase in wages year-over-year.”
“We are trying to ramp up [production].”
“It is extremely frustrating to have a record backlog and be unable to execute due to supply chain issues.”
“Product for our production process is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain. Being quoted ten to eleven weeks delivery with that being a guess at best.”
“Most of our product is sold internationally. Clients in China, Europe, and South America are worried about Ukraine war, Covid lockdowns in China, inflation and now higher dollar valuation.”