Inland manufacturing keeps growing

Manufacturing in the Inland Empire kept growing in May, according to data released Friday.

The region’s purchasing managers index last month was 60.3, down from the 62.4 recorded in April but still well above the 50 benchmark that determines growth or decline, according to the Institute of Applied Research and Policy Analysis at Cal State San Bernardino.

The Inland region’s manufacturing sector has grown for 17 consecutive months.

The production index was virtually unchanged month-over-month, while new orders increased slightly. Combined, those two factors mean purchasing managers in Riverside and San Bernardino counties expect to keep filling consumer orders, according to the report.

Inventories were also up slightly last month, and the employment index was 57.6, the 17th consecutive month that number has been above 50.