Inland Empire manufacturing continues to grow

The Inland Empire’s manufacturing sector has grown for 22 consecutive calendar months, according to a recent report.

The region’s purchasing managers index in June was 56.2, up from 54.4 in May, according to the Institute of Applied Research and Policy Analysis at Cal State San Bernardino.

Anything 50 or above means growth, so both Inland manufacturing and the local economy performed well during the sixth month of the year.

“It’s important to note that the index has remained above 50 for twenty-two consecutive months – a good sign,” said Barbara Sirotnik, institute director and a co-author of the report, in a statement.

Production and new orders, both key elements of the index, were solid in June. New orders jumped from 50 to nearly 60. In April, that number dipped below 50.

“We continue to see extremely strong demand from our customers all over the United States,” one purchasing manager told the institute. “Inflation or higher costs are still not a worry at this point. People still care more about getting their hands on material than what it costs.”

The employment index was 57.7 in June, the fifth consecutive month that number topped 50.

Also, the commodity price index – which has shown inflation trends for 36 straight months –  dropped nine points in June, to 75. That’s the lowest that number has been since November, according to the report.