Manufacturing activity slows slightly in region

Manufacturing activity in northwest Ohio slowed somewhat last month and still lags national figures, according to the Northwest Ohio Manufacturing Index released yesterday by Toledo's Regional Growth Partnership.

The November figure was 50.2, down from 55.6 percent the previous month and off nearly 8 points from the national figure of 58.1. Last month was the 26th consecutively in which the local index has shown manufacturing activity as increasing. A figure above 50 means increased activity.

The employment, price, and supplier delivery components were above 56 points, while the production index fell to 43.6 points and new orders declined to 47.5 points. Inventory, at 52.5, was the only regional component that grew more rapidly than the national index, at 49.3.