Area manufacturing index gains again

9/17/2004

Northwest Ohio's manufacturing activity was on an upswing again last month, but it continued to trail the nation's progress.

A monthly index released yesterday by Toledo's Regional Growth Partnership showed local manufacturing activity at 56.5 percent in August, up from 52.7 in July but below the national rate of 59 last month. A reading above 50 indicates growth.

Of key components in the index, local new orders last month were at 59.6, production at 57.9, and employment at 55.2.