SE Michigan Purchasing Managers Index still strong in April

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from 71.8 to 67.9 in April, which still is quite strong. An index values above 50 generally represent an expanding economy. The index has been over 50 for 15 straight months.

That is a strong positive indicator for the Southeast Michigan economy according to supply chain faculty at Wayne State University's School of Business Administration and members of the Southeast Michigan chapter of the Institute for Supply Management who partner to conduct the survey each month.

Purchasing managers indicated that employment at their firms is growing, but not as fast as in March. The Employment Index value was 66.7, down slightly from 70 in March.

Timothy Butler, associate professor of global supply chain management at Wayne State's business school, said that overall, purchasing managers are optimistic about the near future. Over 26 percent of respondents expect that the economy will become more stable, while 60 percent anticipate that it will remain about the same.

Concerns about the future hinge upon gas prices, Mideast unrest, and the Japan earthquake disaster and its impact upon the supply chain.

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