DETROIT—The Southeast Michigan Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) continued its ascent in April 2016, gaining 3.6 points to reach 62.7. The three-month average rose from 56.1 to 57.9, a marker of consistent progress in the region’s economy.

Contributing to the PMI uptick in April were increases in the production index (+4 points), the new orders index (+4.1) and – most dramatically – the employment index (+9.4). The commodity price index remains steady at 50.0 for the second month in a row.

“The Southeast Michigan PMI has not fallen below 50 since June of 2014, indicating a resilient strength in the regional economy,” said Tim Butler, associate professor of global supply chain management in Wayne State University’s Mike Ilitch School of Business, who interpreted this month’s results.

April’s survey respondents report just a few specific commodities up in price, including consulting, software and paper, while resins and tackifiers were reported to be down in price.

“We’re seeing predictions that the spring and summer Michigan construction season will provide an economic boost,” said Kenneth Doherty, assistant vice president of procurement and strategic sourcing at WSU and an Institute for Supply Management board member. “More than 80 percent of our survey respondents indicated that the economy would be more stable, or about the same, over the next six months.”

The Southeast Michigan Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) is a research partnership between Wayne State University’s Mike Ilitch School of Business and the Institute for Supply Management – Southeast Michigan.

The full report can be found at http://www.ism-sem.org/resources/files/Report-on-Business_April-2016.pdf.                                                           

The Institute for Supply Management – Southeast Michigan serves its members as an affiliate of the Institute for Supply Management by providing superior opportunities for education, networking, and career enhancement as a means of advancing and promoting the leading edge practices and profession of purchasing and supply management. Visit their website at http://www.ism-sem.org.

The Wayne State University Mike Ilitch School of Business prepares students for challenging and rewarding careers, advances the boundaries of scholarly and practitioner knowledge, and enhances the economic vitality of the city of Detroit, the state of Michigan and beyond through its programs, research and community engagement. Established in 1946, the business school was renamed in 2015 in recognition of a $40 million gift from Mike and Marian Ilitch. Thanks to this lead investment, a new state-of-the-art building is slated to open in the heart of the District Detroit in 2018, and entrepreneurial programming and collaboration with city businesses are expanding. For more information, visit ilitchbusiness.wayne.edu.