News & Insights

Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Manufacturers today launched “Building to Win,” a six-figure campaign urging Congress to pass robust infrastructure investments and reauthorize critical federal highway programs before they expire on Sept. 30. As part of the launch, the NAM unveiled a new infrastructure policy roadmap, including original analysis on the economic costs of congestion on manufacturers and a set of core infrastructure policy pillars. The NAM also debuted a new ad underscoring the importance of infrastructure investment and permitting reform to manufacturing competitiveness.

“Manufacturers need modern, reliable infrastructure to create more jobs, grow our economy and keep America competitive,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. “From roads and bridges to ports and airports, from highways to runways and waterways, 21st-century infrastructure means supply chains that deliver, commutes that work and communities that thrive. That’s why policymakers must act with urgency this year to invest in robust American infrastructure by passing a strong surface transportation reauthorization bill and commonsense, comprehensive permitting reform.”

Manufacturers’ Infrastructure Policy Pillars:

The NAM’s policy roadmap outlines four pillars for a robust surface transportation reauthorization:

• Continuing robust investment levels for federal infrastructure, including by developing long-term solutions for Highway Trust Fund solvency
• Strengthening supply chains across transportation modes
• Investing in water infrastructure that will support manufacturing growth and public health
• Reforming burdensome permitting laws and regulations to ensure federal infrastructure investments are made efficiently and responsibly

Original Analysis from the NAM: 

• The NAM’s analysis shows that highway congestion costs manufacturers more than $25 billion annually and results in over 65 million hours of delays in freight carrying finished goods and critical inputs each year.
• The analysis also visualizes, through a new map, key logistics nodes intersecting with the nation’s 25 worst freight bottlenecks, revealing more than 2 million hours of annual delays incurred and faced by manufacturers.
• In addition, the NAM estimates that congestion at container and bulk ports cost manufacturers more than $13 billion annually in carrying costs and demurrage charges.

Top 10 Most Congested Regions for Manufacturing Freight

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.90 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

The S&P Global Manufacturing PMI was 52.4 in January, up from the December reading of 51.8. New orders rose in January, though growth was modest and below the survey average. However, exports declined for the seventh consecutive month, as tariffs were noted to have driven up costs and hurt demand. Meanwhile, prices on inputs increased, with vendors raising charges in response, and selling price inflation rose to its highest level since August. In sum, the rate of inflation remained elevated from a historical context in January.

Production rose at the strongest rate since last August, and combined with weak sales, allowed stocks of finished goods to increase for the sixth consecutive month. In anticipation of future production, employment grew modestly in January. Backlogs of orders increased in January due to the rise in new orders, following four months of decline. Meanwhile, delivery times continued to lengthen, a result of difficulty sourcing inputs and resource constraints for suppliers.

Potential for growth from lowered interest rates and reduced import competition held business confidence steady in January. At the same time, output continuing to outpace sales presents the risk of a production slowdown and negative effects on employment unless demand improves.

In January, growth in global manufacturing activity strengthened from December, rising from 50.4 to 50.9, a three-month high. Output and new orders both expanded as manufacturers saw the strongest rise in new work in almost a year. New export orders contracted in January for the 10th consecutive month but at their slowest pace during this downturn. Meanwhile, lead times continued to slow, lengthening for the 20th consecutive month. Employment grew for the first time in three months as job gains in the U.S., China and Japan contrasted job losses across the Eurozone.

India, Greece, the Philippines and Thailand had the highest PMI readings in January. On the other hand, Brazil, Germany, Russia and Italy were some of the larger nations to register declines in activity. The upturn in manufacturing occurred across consumer, intermediate and investment goods in January, with the fastest growth seen in consumer goods.

Meanwhile, input and output price pressures rose at the quickest rates in three years in January, with the jump largely driven by the U.S. Despite this, forward-looking indicators remained positive, with business optimism hitting a 10-month high but remaining below long-run averages.

Job openings for manufacturing increased by 34,000 to 433,000 in December. On the other hand, the November job openings level of 399,000 was revised downward from 403,000 in the previous report. Nondurable goods job openings in December rose by 11,000 to 139,000, while durable goods job openings climbed by 23,000 to 294,000. The manufacturing job openings rate ticked up to 3.3% from 3.0% in November but stayed the same from 3.3% the previous year. The rate for nondurable goods manufacturing advanced 0.2 percentage points to 2.8% and 0.3 percentage points to 3.6% for durable goods manufacturing.

In the larger economy, the number of job openings dropped to 6.5 million, a decline of 386,000 from November and 966,000 from the previous year. The job openings rate fell to 3.9% from 4.2% in November and from 4.5% in December 2024. This data reflects an overall labor market that has eased back to pre-pandemic levels, but remains relatively tight from a historical perspective.

The number of hires in the overall economy increased 172,000 to 5.3 million in December but decreased 81,000 from the previous year. The hires rate for the overall economy edged up 0.1 percentage point in December to 3.3%. Meanwhile, the hires rate for manufacturing similarly ticked up 0.1 percentage point to 2.3%, down from 2.4% in December 2024. The hires rate for durable goods stayed the same at 2.0%, while the hires rate for nondurable goods inched up 0.1 percentage point to 2.7%.

In the larger economy, total separations, which include quits, layoffs, discharges and other separations, rose 107,000 from November to 5.3 million and 169,000 from the previous year. The total separations rate ticked up 0.1 percentage point to 3.3% for the overall economy but stayed the same for manufacturing at 2.4%, down from 2.5% from the year prior. Within that rate, layoffs and discharges increased by 7,000 in December for manufacturing, while quits ticked up by 2,000. The quit and layoff rates continue to remain lower for manufacturing than the total nonfarm sector.

In January, the U.S. manufacturing sector expanded for the first time after 10 consecutive months of contraction, with the ISM Manufacturing® PMI increasing to 52.6% from 47.9% in December. Demand indicators moved into expansion territory, with the New Orders, New Export Orders and Backlog of Orders Indexes rising to 57.1%, 50.2% and 51.6%, respectively. Meanwhile, the Customers’ Inventories Index contracted at a faster rate into “too low” territory, which is also a positive sign for future production. Meanwhile, the Production Index expanded at a faster pace in January, increasing from 50.7% to 55.9%.

The New Orders Index expanded in January after contracting for four consecutive months, jumping 9.7 percentage points from December. Of the six-largest manufacturing sectors, four—machinery; transportation equipment; chemical products; and food, beverage and tobacco products—reported an increase in new orders. In a turnaround from recent months, respondents noted optimism about near-term demand. However, numerous respondents cited post-holiday replenishment and customers’ desire to get ahead of additional tariff-driven price increases as likely reasons for the increase.

The New Export Orders Index expanded after 10 consecutive months of contraction in January, 3.4 percentage points higher than December. Nonetheless, respondents remain concerned about dampened international demand amid ongoing trade tensions and policy uncertainty. Meanwhile, the Imports Index stayed the same in January after nine consecutive months of contraction, up 5.4 percentage points from December to 50.0%.

The Employment Index contracted for the 12th consecutive month but at a slower pace than the prior month, up 3.3 percentage points from December to 48.1%. Of the six-largest manufacturing sectors, two—transportation equipment and computer and electronic products—reported increased employment. Companies continued to focus on layoffs and attrition to restrict headcounts due to uncertainty around near- to mid-term demand. For every comment on hiring, two respondents noted reduced headcounts.

The Prices Index ticked up 0.5 percentage points from December to 59.0%, indicating raw materials prices grew for the 16th straight month in January and at a slightly faster pace than the prior month. Of the six-largest manufacturing sectors, four—machinery; computer and electronic products; transportation equipment; and chemical products—reported increased prices. The increase continues to be driven by higher steel and aluminum prices impacting the entire supply chain, as well as the tariffs applied to most imported goods. Roughly 29.0% of companies reported paying higher prices, up from 26.4% in December and from 21.0% in January 2025.

Washington, D.C. – Following the passage of a bipartisan government funding bill that includes key health care affordability measures—including reforms to pharmacy benefit managers—National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons issued the following statement:

“Rising health care costs continue to be one of the top challenges facing manufacturers, especially small and medium-sized manufacturers. The NAM has long championed efforts to rein in PBMs, underregulated middlemen who drive up costs by dictating what Americans pay at the pharmacy counter. The reforms adopted by Congress today are an important step toward delivering long-overdue transparency and accountability to these powerful actors.

“As Congress and the Trump administration rightly continue to focus on health care affordability, biopharmaceutical manufacturers are already working to bring down costs and keep lifesaving health care accessible for Americans, including through direct-to-patient platforms that offer lower cost medications to patients who need them. Combined with the reforms to telehealth and expansion of the use of health savings accounts included in H.R. 1, lawmakers are demonstrating their commitment to lowering the cost of health care in the U.S.”

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.90 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

 733 10th St. NW, Suite 700 • Washington, DC 20001 • (202) 637-3000

Washington, D.C. – Following the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s Permitting Innovation Center’s launch of the CE Works tool, a new pilot program aimed to speed up the environmental permitting process, National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons issued the following statement: 

“Our government must cut the red tape to speed up manufacturers’ ability to put shovels in the ground, and a modern permitting system needs modern technology. The White House CEQ’s CE Works pilot program offers a promising path to modernize and accelerate federal environmental reviews—an important step to efficiently implementing the National Environmental Policy Act by quickly helping agencies identify cases where time-consuming reviews are not necessary.  

“Reforming NEPA is a key manufacturing priority and a core pillar of the NAM’s “Manufacturing’s Roadmap to AI and Energy Dominance.” This tool provides agencies with a digital pathway to apply categorical exclusions under NEPA, and increasing the use of CATEX under NEPA—as our roadmap states—will ensure that critical energy and infrastructure projects can advance without unnecessary delays through unnecessary reviews.  

“Comprehensive, commonsense permitting reform must get done this year to provide certainty for manufacturers. We look forward to continuing to work with Congress and the administration on commonsense priorities to improve the permitting process so America’s manufacturers can invest, grow jobs and compete on the global stage. We appreciate the White House CEQ for developing this innovative tool and taking this step toward meaningful permitting reform.” 

-NAM-  

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.90 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.  

733 10th St. NW, Suite 700 • Washington, DC 20001 • (202) 637-3000 

Manufacturing activity stayed the same in the Tenth District in January, with the month-over-month composite index remaining unchanged at 0 from December. Meanwhile, expectations for future activity stayed positive but declined 3 points to 7. The month-over-month activity remaining constant was due to an increase in durable manufacturing offsetting a decline in nondurable manufacturing. At the same time, the new orders index inched up, while shipments turned negative in January. New orders for exports decreased at a slightly faster pace than the prior month. The Tenth Federal Reserve District encompasses the western third of Missouri; all of Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Wyoming; and the northern half of New Mexico.

The production index remained negative but inched up from -3 to -2, while the new orders index moved up from -2 to 0, indicating new orders were constant over the month after declining for two consecutive months. The employment index rose in January from -4 to 0, while the average employee workweek index ticked up from 3 to 4. The backlog of orders fell further into negative territory, dropping from -5 to -11. The pace of growth for prices received weakened, while growth for prices paid accelerated over the month, with raw materials prices increasing 3 points to 44, and prices received falling from 24 to 19. Over the year, the indexes for prices received and paid both decreased, moving down from 54 and 67, respectively.

In January, survey respondents were asked special questions about changes in labor demand and factors negatively affecting business. Over half of the firms (57%) reported little to no changes in labor demand over the past year, while 14% saw reduced labor demand and 17% experienced increased demand. When asked about business concerns, more than one-third (39%) noted concerns about domestic demand for goods and services, 24% were concerned about geopolitical uncertainty and 21% cited worries about worker availability.

Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Manufacturers today announced new leadership for its Council of Manufacturing Associations following the CMA 2026 Winter Leadership Conference. Corey Rosenbusch, president and CEO of The Fertilizer Institute, will take over as chair, and Kelly Mariotti, president and CEO of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, will serve as vice chair.

“Manufacturers are doing what we’ve always done: pioneering innovation, powering the economy and responding to dynamic markets,” said Rosenbusch. “There’s no better time to be in manufacturing, and I’m thrilled—and honored—to lead the CMA as manufacturers navigate a new era in our industry. The mission of the CMA has never been more important. I hope that in this position I can illustrate the vital role manufacturing plays across every segment of the U.S. economy.”

The CMA is made up of over 200 industry-specific manufacturing associations representing 130,000 companies and works with the NAM to build partnership and collaboration across the manufacturing industry and larger business community to align strategies to increase manufacturing jobs and encourage investment.

“Corey and Kelly are proven, respected leaders, and both of them have demonstrated a deep dedication to the CMA’s mission and growth,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. “I’m grateful they’ve agreed to step into these leadership roles during a pivotal time for our industry. With Corey and Kelly’s partnership, manufacturers will build on our momentum after our recent success in securing pro-growth tax reform—and we will advance a comprehensive manufacturing strategy that unlocks opportunities for every sector represented in the CMA and for every manufacturer across the United States.”

Before leading The Fertilizer Institute, Rosenbusch served as president and CEO of the Global Cold Chain Alliance and as vice chair of the CMA under the previous chair, Alison Bodor.

The CMA also appointed new members to the 2026 board:

• Frank Hugelmeyer, president and CEO, National Marine Manufacturers Association
• Matt Seaholm, president and CEO, The Plastics Industry Association
• Megan Tanel, president and CEO, Association of Equipment Manufacturers

 –NAM-

 The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.90 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

733 10th St. NW, Suite 700 • Washington, DC 20001 • (202) 637-3000

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index inched up 0.5 points to 99.5 in December, remaining slightly above the 52-year average of 98. December’s increase was due primarily to the rise in those expecting better business conditions. Of the 10 components included in the index, two increased, three decreased and five stayed the same. Meanwhile, the Uncertainty Index dropped 7 points to 84, the lowest reading since June 2024 but still well above the 51-year average (68) and slightly above the average since 2016 (80).

Taxes were cited as the top concern for small business owners, with 20% reporting them as the most important problem, up 6 points from November. The share of business owners reporting labor quality as the top problem fell 2 points from November to 19%, with 33% struggling to fill open jobs and 53% reporting hiring or trying to hire in December. Meanwhile, inflation fell to third in the list of concerns, with 12% reporting it as a top problem, down 3 points from November, with a net 30% raising prices.

A net 31% of small business owners reported raising compensation, up 5 points in December after remaining unchanged in November. Meanwhile, 24% of business owners plan to raise compensation in the next three months, unchanged from November. Pressure on profitability weakened in December, with positive profit trends rising 3 points from November to a net negative 20%. Among owners reporting lower profits, 41% blamed weaker sales, 13% cited increased material costs, 12% mentioned usual seasonal changes, 9% reported price changes from their products or services and 7% noted labor costs. Meanwhile, 5% reported their last loan was harder to get than previous attempts, up 1 point from November, and a net negative 3% of owners cited paying a higher interest rate on their most recent loan, down 5 points from the prior month.

The outlook for general business conditions rose 9 points to 24%, the first increase since July. Despite the improvement in December, expectations for better business conditions have fallen 23 points since the start of 2025. At the same time, 13% reported that it is a good time to expand their business, unchanged for the second consecutive month and a rather weak reading compared to times of economic expansion. Overall, despite consumer sentiment remaining low, small business owners anticipate economic conditions to remain broadly favorable in 2026, with cost pressures moderating and other challenges easing.