Manufacturing jumps in nation, Midwest

Midwest manufacturing activity expanded at a quicker pace in August than July, according to a survey of companies’ purchasing managers in nine states.

An index generated from the responses rose to 57.2 from 57.0 in July. Any reading larger than 50 indicates expansion in the manufacturing sector for the region.

The Institute for Supply Management said its national manufacturing index rose even more to reach 59 in August compared with 57.1 in July.

The Midwest’s growing recovery is causing some shipping delay problems, said Ernie Goss, the economics professor at Creighton University where the Midwestern index is generated.

“One supply manager complained that rail shipping had become particularly problematic as shipments of energy products and housing inputs have begun to take up shipping space,” Goss said in the announcement of August’s results.

A separate index for Kansas surged to 63.8 from 57.2 in July and Missouri’s index edged higher to 59.2 from 59.0 in July.

This story was originally published September 2, 2014 at 10:14 AM with the headline "Manufacturing jumps in nation, Midwest."