Georgia manufacters expect more hiring, production | www.myajc.com

Georgia’s manufacturers expect more growth in the months ahead despite a mixed bag of results for key economic indicators in December, according to a new report from Kennesaw State University’s Econometric Center.

The center’s monthly survey of purchasing managers responsible for acquiring the materials companies use to make products found optimism that they would continue to benefit from a strengthening economy in the first quarter.

KSU’s Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) rose 1.6 points to 53.9 in December. A reading above 50 indicates expansion in textiles, transportation equipment, food and beverages, and computer, electrical equipment and appliance manufacturing.

December marked the third straight month the state’s PMI was above 50 since earlier in the 2013.

Don Sabbarese, director of the Econometric Center, said the housing and auto industries will continue to be important contributors to manufacturers’ ability to expand in the months ahead.

“If those two industries continue to increase the way they had in 2013, I think that’s a good foundation for continued growth, especially in manufacturing,” Sabbarese said.

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