TEMPE, AZ – Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in September for the 26th consecutive month, but the supply chain is anxious over the future, says the Institute for Supply Management.

The September PMI was up 1 percentage point from August to 51.6%. New orders were flat at 49.6%, and production rose 2.6 points to 51.2%. Inventories dropped a slight 0.3 to 52%, and customer inventories were up 2.5 percentage points to 49%. Backlogs fell 4.5 points to 41.5%, the lowest level since April 2009 (40.5%).
 
“Respondents generally reflect concern over the sluggish economy, political and policy uncertainty in Washington, and forecasts of ongoing high unemployment that will continue to put pressure on demand for manufactured products,” said ISM spokesperson Bradley J. Holcomb.
 
The overall economy grew for the 28th consecutive month, the firm says.