View original at www.logisticsmgmt.com

State of Logistics 2016: Pursue mutual benefit ISM reports a strong end to 2016 for non-manufacturing activity TMHNA University Research Program funds top research proposals Tompkins builds a supply chain Voxware research indicates returns processes remain flawed More News Data issued by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) today showed that non-manufacturing activity finished 2016 with strong momentum. The index ISM uses to measure non-manufacturing growth—known as the NMI—came in at 57.2 in December (a reading of 50 or higher indicates growth), matching November’s reading, while eclipsing the 12-month average of 55.0 and remaining at its highest level over the last 12 months, with the highest reading prior to that being October 2015’s 59.1. Two of the report’s core four metrics, including the NMI, were flat or showed growth in December. Business activity/production dipped 0.3 percent to 61.4, which is down from November’s 61.7, which is the highest level since October 2015’s 61.8, but still growing for the 89th consecutive month and at the highest level. New orders saw a strong bounce, rising 4.6 percent to 61.6, and employment dipped 4.4 percent to 53.8 but remained in growth mode, even though it came on the heels of the November’s 58.2, which was its best month since December 2015’s 58.3. ISM reported that 12 non-manufacturing industries reporting growth in December, including: Mining; Retail Trade; Finance & Insurance; Information; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Construction; Other Services; Health Care & Social Assistance; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Utilities; Transportation & Warehousing; and Accommodation & Food Services. The three industries reporting contraction in December are: Public Administration; Wholesale Trade; and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting. A theme of positivity was prevalent in ISM member comments featured in the report. A finance and insurance respondent simply said things are “steady with optimism.” And, not […]