Manufacturing activity in Georgia increased last month, with double-digit gains in new orders, production and supply deliveries, according to a monthly report Monday by Kennesaw State University’s Econometric Center.
The survey of purchasing managers also showed hiring was higher than in previous months.
“Georgia manufacturing activity reversed an anemic performance due to decreases in December and January,” said Don Sabbarese, director of the Econometric Center. He said the gains more than offset double-digit losses for manufacturing during the two months.
“The question remains, is the weather responsible for this three-month swing or is there some other economic factors in play?” Sabbarese said. Manufacturing, like other parts of the economy, was affected by the winter storm that socked North Georgia and other parts of the Southeast and nation last month.
The state’s Purchasing Managers Index for February was 56.7, up 6.7 points from January. A reading above 50 indicates expansion overall in key industries, such as textiles, transportation equipment, food and beverages, and computer, electrical equipment and appliance manufacturing.
The results come from a survey of purchasing managers, who are responsible for acquiring the materials companies use to make products. The February reading was the highest since March 2013, when it reached 61.8.
More purchasing managers reported an increase in hiring than managers who reported a decline. Employment remains the most stable PMI component, Sabbarese said.
Half of purchasing managers surveyed expect production for the next three to six months to increase, which is down from 57 percent in January. Sabbarese said it’s an indication that respondents are still “fairly optimistic about the near future.”
Manufacturing in the Southeast and nationally also increased last month. The regional PMI was 56, up 5.4 points, while the national PMI was 53.2, up 1.9 points.
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