FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2013, AT 10:00 A.M. EDT 

Chris Savage or Adriana Stoica 

Manufacturing and Construction Division 

(301) 763-4832 

M3-2 (13)-03 

CB13-79 

Full Report on Manufacturers’ Shipments, Inventories and Orders 

March 2013 

Summary 

 New orders for manufactured goods in March, down 

two of the last three months, decreased $19.5 billion or 

4.0 percent to $467.3 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau 

reported today. This followed a 1.9 percent February 

increase. Excluding transportation, new orders 

decreased 2.0 percent. 

 Shipments, down following two consecutive monthly 

increases, decreased $5.0 billion or 1.0 percent to $481.8 

billion. This followed a 0.4 percent February increase. 

 Unfilled orders, down two of the last three months, 

decreased $7.1 billion or 0.7 percent to $990.1 billion. 

This followed a 0.7 percent February increase. The 

unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.20, down from 

6.28 in February. 

 Inventories, up four consecutive months, increased 

$0.2 billion to $620.2 billion. This was at the highest 

level since the series was first published on a NAICS 

basis in 1992, and followed a 0.2 percent February 

increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.29, 

up from 1.27 in February. 

New Orders 

 New orders for manufactured durable goods in March, down two of the last three months, decreased $13.4 

billion or 5.8 percent to $216.0 billion, revised from the 

previously published 5.7 percent decrease. This 

followed a 4.3 percent February increase. 

 Transportation equipment, also down two of the last 

three months, led the decrease, down $11.1 billion or 

15.1 percent to $62.5 billion. 

 New orders for manufactured nondurable goods 

decreased $6.1 billion or 2.4 percent to $251.3 billion. 

 

Shipments 

 Shipments of manufactured durable goods in March, 

up six of the last seven months, increased $1.1 billion or 

0.5 percent to $230.4 billion, revised from the previously 

published 0.4 percent increase. This was at the highest 

level since the series was first published on a NAICS 

basis, and followed a 0.9 percent February increase. 

 Transportation equipment, up four of the last five 

months, drove the increase, up $1.6 billion or 2.3 

percent to $67.8 billion. 

 

 Shipments of manufactured nondurable goods, down 

two consecutive months, decreased $6.1 billion or 2.4 

percent to $251.3 billion. This followed a 0.1 percent 

February decrease. Petroleum and coal products, down 

following two consecutive monthly increases, led the 

decrease, down $5.4 billion or 7.1 percent to $70.5 

billion. 

 

Unfilled Orders 

 Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in 

March, down two of the last three months, decreased 

$7.1 billion or 0.7 percent to $990.1 billion, revised from 

the previously published 0.6 percent decrease. This 

followed a 0.7 percent February increase. 

 

 Transportation equipment, also down two of the last 

three months, led the decrease, down $5.4 billion or 0.9 

percent to $585.8 billion. 

Inventories 

 Inventories of manufactured durable goods in March, 

down following two consecutive monthly increases, 

decreased $0.4 billion or 0.1 percent to $376.2 billion, 

revised from the previously published 0.1 percent 

increase. This followed a 0.3 percent February increase. 

 

 Primary metals, down three consecutive months, drove 

the decrease, down $0.5 billion or 1.6 percent to $33.9 

billion. 

 Inventories of manufactured nondurable goods, up 

three of the last four months, increased $0.6 billion or 

0.2 percent to $244.0 billion. This followed a slight 

February decrease. Chemical products, up five 

consecutive months, led the increase, up $0.3 billion or 

0.4 percent to $75.2 billion. 

 By stage of fabrication, March materials and supplies 

decreased 0.4 percent in durable goods and increased 0.7 

percent in nondurable goods. Work in process increased 

0.5 percent in durable goods and 0.4 percent in 

nondurable goods. Finished goods decreased 0.6 percent 

in durable goods and 0.2 percent in nondurable goods.

Figures in text are adjusted for seasonality, but not for inflation. Figures on new and unfilled orders exclude data for semiconductor manufacturing. For 

data, call (301) 763-4673 or go to <http://www.census.gov/m3>.The advance report on durable goods for April is scheduled for release on May 24, 2013, at 

8:30 a.m. EDT and the full report on June 5, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. EDT. See back page for survey description. To receive the latest updates on the Nation's 

key economic indicators, download the America's Economy app for Apple and Android smartphones and tablets. 
 2 

Table 1. Value of Manufacturers' Shipments for Industry Groups1

[Estimates are shown in millions of dollars and are based on data from the Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders Survey.] 

Seasonally Adjusted Not Seasonally Adjusted 

Monthly Percent Change Monthly

Industry Percent

Mar. Feb. Jan. Feb. - Jan. - Dec. - Mar. Feb. Jan. Mar. 2013/

2013p 2013r 2013 Mar. Feb. Jan. 2013p 2013r 2013 2012 2013p 2012 2012

 All manufacturing industries.................. 481,766 486,750 484,985 -1.0 0.4 0.4 504,070 455,368 450,502 503,185 1,409,940 1,394,764 1.1

 Excluding transportation................... 413,920 420,459 419,911 -1.6 0.1 0.8 428,706 390,989 393,179 433,413 1,212,874 1,210,049 0.2

 Excluding defense.............................. 470,595 476,146 474,678 -1.2 0.3 0.7 491,516 445,251 442,096 490,709 1,378,863 1,363,248 1.1

 With unfilled orders............................ 159,713 158,845 158,353 0.5 0.3 -1.7 172,254 149,043 143,386 171,405 464,683 462,364 0.5

 Durable goods industries......................... 230,438 229,314 227,351 0.5 0.9 -0.7 245,366 215,091 207,233 238,715 667,690 650,399 2.7

 Wood products....................................... 6,861 6,905 6,788 -0.6 1.7 5.7 6,833 6,167 5,901 5,979 18,901 16,607 13.8

 Nonmetallic mineral products.................... 8,117 8,271 8,259 -1.9 0.1 1.3 7,880 7,029 7,159 7,966 22,068 21,803 1.2

 Primary metals....................................... 28,079 28,656 29,028 -2.0 -1.3 -3.0 29,833 27,890 28,711 30,605 86,434 87,682 -1.4

 Iron and steel mills............................ 9,794 10,081 10,390 -2.8 -3.0 -0.5 10,659 9,867 10,422 12,691 30,948 36,149 -14.4

 Aluminum and nonferrous metals.......... 16,515 16,791 16,869 -1.6 -0.5 -4.8 17,272 16,303 16,609 15,905 50,184 45,958 9.2

 Ferrous metal foundries....................... 1,770 1,784 1,769 -0.8 0.8 0.1 1,902 1,720 1,680 2,009 5,302 5,575 -4.9

 Fabricated metal products....................... 27,533 27,992 27,897 -1.6 0.3 2.2 28,103 25,807 26,208 28,507 80,118 80,457 -0.4

 Machinery............................................. 34,548 34,328 33,415 0.6 2.7 0.4 37,065 31,963 29,648 36,253 98,676 93,102 6.0

 Farm machinery................................. 2,177 2,319 2,309 -6.1 0.4 12.0 2,748 2,636 2,125 3,318 7,509 8,165 -8.0

 Construction machinery..................... 6,227 6,090 5,674 2.2 7.3 -2.8 6,045 5,258 4,997 4,236 16,300 11,645 40.0

 Mining, oil field, and 

 gas field machinery.......................... 1,956 1,989 2,016 -1.7 -1.3 0.6 2,038 1,895 1,866 2,211 5,799 6,019 -3.7

 Industrial machinery.......................... 3,597 3,719 3,610 -3.3 3.0 1.5 4,253 3,234 2,855 3,811 10,342 8,752 18.2

 Photographic equipment...................... 591 617 637 -4.2 -3.1 -0.8 652 560 533 766 1,745 1,927 -9.4

 Ventilation, heating, air-conditioning,

 and refrigeration equipment............ 3,145 3,220 3,206 -2.3 0.4 1.9 3,185 2,643 2,548 3,282 8,376 8,088 3.6

 Metalworking machinery..................... 2,753 2,713 2,644 1.5 2.6 1.9 2,790 2,366 2,430 2,515 7,586 6,705 13.1

 Turbines, generators, and other

 power transmission equipment....... 4,063 3,467 3,137 17.2 10.5 -7.4 4,245 3,395 2,985 4,660 10,625 11,349 -6.4

 Material handling equipment............... 2,867 2,889 2,911 -0.8 -0.8 0.2 3,098 2,757 2,636 3,064 8,491 8,144 4.3

 Computers and electronic products2

.......... 27,929 27,165 27,272 2.8 -0.4 -3.1 29,234 23,796 24,852 28,508 77,882 80,469 -3.2

 Computers........................................ 994 850 876 16.9 -3.0 -26.8 1,056 642 714 1,250 2,412 3,618 -33.3

 Computer storage devices..................... 646 590 588 9.5 0.3 -5.3 980 381 409 1,123 1,770 2,129 -16.9

 Other peripheral equipment................ 893 848 851 5.3 -0.4 -8.8 1,091 630 527 1,117 2,248 2,431 -7.5

 Nondefense communications

 equipment.................................... 2,928 2,902 2,929 0.9 -0.9 4.2 3,437 2,553 2,318 3,106 8,308 7,706 7.8

 Defense communications equipment.... 336 328 328 2.4 0.0 -0.9 371 321 300 427 992 1,143 -13.2

 Audio and video equipment.................... 247 258 250 -4.3 3.2 -2.3 243 216 208 258 667 633 5.4

 Electronic components......................... 3,418 3,457 3,559 -1.1 -2.9 2.7 3,665 3,180 3,238 3,928 10,083 10,559 -4.5

 Nondefense search and navigation

 equipment...................................... 1,244 1,314 1,291 -5.3 1.8 -3.4 1,403 1,241 1,122 1,559 3,766 3,924 -4.0

 Defense search and navigation

 equipment..................................... 2,853 2,939 2,904 -2.9 1.2 -1.9 2,984 2,906 2,492 3,093 8,382 8,625 -2.8

 Electromedical, measuring,

 and control instruments................. 6,490 6,426 6,149 1.0 4.5 -2.5 7,519 5,907 5,355 7,866 18,781 20,426 -8.1

 Electrical equipment, appliances, 

 and components................................... 9,962 10,125 10,108 -1.6 0.2 0.8 10,560 9,347 9,113 10,831 29,020 29,038 -0.1

 Electric lighting equipment..................... 890 903 917 -1.4 -1.5 2.6 908 862 866 953 2,636 2,683 -1.8

 Household appliances........................ 1,592 1,642 1,653 -3.0 -0.7 5.5 1,756 1,492 1,380 1,784 4,628 4,439 4.3

 Electrical equipment............................ 3,003 3,003 3,003 0.0 0.0 -2.4 3,317 2,755 2,636 3,513 8,708 9,134 -4.7

 Batteries........................................... 1,062 1,078 1,049 -1.5 2.8 1.9 1,007 914 915 937 2,836 2,609 8.7

 Transportation equipment........................ 67,846 66,291 65,074 2.3 1.9 -1.8 75,364 64,379 57,323 69,772 197,066 184,715 6.7

 Automobiles..................................... 10,917 10,868 10,246 0.5 6.1 1.5 11,423 10,624 9,820 8,946 31,867 24,593 29.6

 Light trucks and utility vehicles.............. 14,444 14,597 13,667 -1.0 6.8 4.5 15,824 14,694 12,270 13,983 42,788 37,385 14.5

 Heavy duty trucks ............................. 2,161 2,131 2,149 1.4 -0.8 -4.8 2,256 1,998 1,992 2,757 6,246 7,721 -19.1

 Motor vehicle bodies, parts, 

 and trailers.................................... 18,988 18,859 18,474 0.7 2.1 -2.1 20,539 18,973 17,587 20,260 57,099 56,432 1.2

 Nondefense aircraft and parts................ 10,014 8,868 9,968 12.9 -11.0 -6.5 12,256 7,883 7,292 10,813 27,431 26,474 3.6

 Defense aircraft and parts.................. 4,900 4,482 4,222 9.3 6.2 -14.1 5,782 4,075 3,251 5,910 13,108 13,724 -4.5

 Ships and boats................................. 2,254 2,170 2,172 3.9 -0.1 -3.6 2,512 2,160 1,819 2,473 6,491 6,594 -1.6

 Furniture and related products.................. 5,476 5,469 5,449 0.1 0.4 -0.3 5,616 5,323 5,153 5,535 16,092 15,771 2.0

 Miscellaneous durable goods................. 14,087 14,112 14,061 -0.2 0.4 0.9 14,878 13,390 13,165 14,759 41,433 40,755 1.7

 Nondurable goods industries..................... 251,328 257,436 257,634 -2.4 -0.1 1.4 258,704 240,277 243,269 264,470 742,250 744,365 -0.3

 Food products....................................... 62,321 62,569 62,428 -0.4 0.2 0.3 62,915 59,819 60,783 60,962 183,517 178,020 3.1

 Grain and oilseed milling....................... 8,326 8,345 8,413 -0.2 -0.8 -0.5 8,106 7,919 8,451 8,042 24,476 24,002 2.0

 Dairy products.................................. 8,465 8,518 8,467 -0.6 0.6 -0.6 8,593 7,830 8,267 8,527 24,690 24,749 -0.2

 Meat, poultry, and seafood products... 16,826 16,944 16,956 -0.7 -0.1 -0.4 16,866 16,442 16,222 16,781 49,530 49,117 0.8

 Beverage and tobacco products................ 12,652 12,283 12,186 3.0 0.8 0.2 12,513 11,195 10,911 12,275 34,619 34,113 1.5

 Beverages......................................... 9,391 9,371 9,246 0.2 1.4 -1.8 9,252 8,283 7,971 8,924 25,506 24,684 3.3

 Tobacco............................................ 3,261 2,912 2,940 12.0 -1.0 7.2 3,261 2,912 2,940 3,351 9,113 9,429 -3.4

 Textile mills........................................... 2,510 2,552 2,497 -1.6 2.2 0.0 2,665 2,498 2,333 2,644 7,496 7,434 0.8

 Textile products................................... 2,057 2,063 2,006 -0.3 2.8 1.8 2,187 2,018 1,789 2,071 5,994 5,739 4.4

 Apparel................................................ 1,253 1,278 1,273 -2.0 0.4 1.6 1,203 1,244 1,132 1,210 3,579 3,620 -1.1

 Leather and allied products...................... 458 466 499 -1.7 -6.6 6.2 483 485 426 482 1,394 1,331 4.7

 Paper products...................................... 13,664 13,701 13,720 -0.3 -0.1 -0.5 13,781 12,771 13,506 14,171 40,058 41,358 -3.1

 Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills....... 6,507 6,510 6,507 0.0 0.0 -0.1 6,562 6,077 6,520 6,651 19,159 19,567 -2.1

 Paperboard containers........................ 4,026 4,050 4,048 -0.6 0.0 0.1 4,086 3,736 3,937 4,181 11,759 12,018 -2.2

 Printing................................................. 6,585 6,649 6,787 -1.0 -2.0 3.6 6,771 6,015 6,436 6,934 19,222 19,264 -0.2

 Petroleum and coal products.................. 70,513 75,867 75,723 -7.1 0.2 3.7 72,588 68,963 69,160 75,947 210,711 209,920 0.4

 Petroleum refineries.......................... 66,436 71,692 70,973 -7.3 1.0 3.1 68,857 65,589 65,647 71,721 200,093 198,932 0.6

 Chemical products..................................... 61,882 62,248 62,530 -0.6 -0.5 -0.1 65,571 58,627 59,614 69,108 183,812 191,654 -4.1

 Pesticides, fertilizers, and other

 agricultural chemicals....................... 2,806 3,002 3,183 -6.5 -5.7 -7.0 3,808 2,857 2,677 4,668 9,342 10,316 -9.4

 Pharmaceuticals and medicines............. 13,518 13,468 13,662 0.4 -1.4 2.0 14,036 12,559 13,314 14,863 39,909 43,038 -7.3

 Paints, coatings, and adhesives.......... 2,842 2,884 2,858 -1.5 0.9 1.5 2,958 2,666 2,571 3,075 8,195 8,356 -1.9

 Plastics and rubber products.................. 17,433 17,760 17,985 -1.8 -1.3 3.2 18,027 16,642 17,179 18,666 51,848 51,912 -0.1

p

 Preliminary r Revised data due to late receipts and concurrent seasonal adjustment.

1

 Estimates of shipments and new orders are for the duration of the period, while estimates of unfilled orders and total inventories are for the end of the period. Not seasonally adjusted 

estimates of shipments and new orders include adjusted data for non-calendar reporters. Seasonally adjusted estimates include concurrent adjustments for holiday and trading-day differences,

where appropriate, as well as seasonal variation, based on the results of the latest annual review of the model parameters. Estimates are not adjusted for price changes.

See note at end of Table 2 relating to survey error and revision.

2 Estimates and percent changes of shipments for the semiconductor industry are no longer shown separately, but are included in computers and electronic products, and all other applicable

 aggregate totals. 

Year to date
 3

Table 2. Value of Manufacturers' New Orders for Industry Groups1

[Estimates are shown in millions of dollars and are based on data from the Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders Survey.] 

Seasonally Adjusted Not Seasonally Adjusted 

Monthly Percent Change Monthly

Industry Percent

Mar. Feb. Jan. Feb. - Jan. - Dec. - Mar. Feb. Jan. Mar. 2013/

2013p 2013r 2013 Mar. Feb. Jan. 2013p 2013r 2013 2012 2013p 2012 2012

All manufacturing industries 2........................ 467,288 486,809 477,514 -4.0 1.9 -1.0 492,703 467,252 448,793 502,316 1,408,748 1,411,792 -0.2

 Excluding transportation2

...................... 404,814 413,238 416,333 -2.0 -0.7 2.0 423,762 392,057 394,724 432,390 1,210,543 1,212,145 -0.1

 Excluding defense2.............................. 460,810 477,513 470,469 -3.5 1.5 1.4 483,178 457,227 441,265 487,196 1,381,670 1,375,823 0.4

 With unfilled orders 2............................. 152,603 165,636 157,888 -7.9 4.9 -6.0 166,891 166,296 149,361 174,822 482,548 497,259 -3.0

 Durable goods industries 2......................... 215,960 229,373 219,880 -5.8 4.3 -3.7 233,999 226,975 205,524 237,846 666,498 667,427 -0.1

 Primary metals........................................ 27,986 28,924 28,724 -3.2 0.7 -1.4 29,801 29,217 29,504 30,335 88,522 88,741 -0.2

 Iron and steel mills.............................. 9,794 10,326 9,993 -5.2 3.3 0.3 10,673 10,981 10,951 12,502 32,605 36,993 -11.9

 Aluminum and nonferrous metals.......... 16,473 16,842 16,951 -2.2 -0.6 -2.6 17,295 16,490 16,778 15,867 50,563 45,924 10.1

 Ferrous metal foundries....................... 1,719 1,756 1,780 -2.1 -1.3 1.9 1,833 1,746 1,775 1,966 5,354 5,824 -8.1

 Fabricated metal products........................ 27,660 28,326 29,599 -2.4 -4.3 2.0 30,513 28,315 29,052 31,233 87,880 85,836 2.4

 Machinery............................................. 33,583 33,857 35,604 -0.8 -4.9 15.8 36,022 33,213 34,149 35,170 103,384 99,837 3.6

 Construction machinery........................ 6,334 5,776 6,885 9.7 -16.1 56.1 6,144 5,564 7,114 3,612 18,822 13,542 39.0

 Mining, oil field, and

 gas field machinery.......................... 1,856 2,702 2,309 -31.3 17.0 -6.9 1,665 2,912 2,363 789 6,940 5,809 19.5

 Industrial machinery............................ 3,479 3,388 3,459 2.7 -2.1 4.1 4,167 2,875 2,994 4,123 10,036 9,430 6.4

 Photographic equipment....................... 574 673 601 -14.7 12.0 -1.2 589 659 626 726 1,874 2,110 -11.2

 Ventilation, heating, air-conditioning,

 and refrigeration equipment............... 2,842 3,124 3,260 -9.0 -4.2 8.2 2,996 2,980 2,582 3,690 8,558 9,044 -5.4

 Metalworking machinery....................... 2,551 2,519 2,563 1.3 -1.7 0.8 2,513 2,352 2,573 2,560 7,438 7,319 1.6

 Turbines, generators, and other 

 power transmission equipment........... 3,725 3,235 4,190 15.1 -22.8 44.8 3,851 3,115 4,076 4,807 11,042 12,908 -14.5

 Material handling equipment.................. 2,946 2,880 3,020 2.3 -4.6 6.3 3,296 2,841 2,838 3,281 8,975 8,693 3.2

 Computers and electronic products 2

........... 19,944 19,836 20,346 0.5 -2.5 -5.0 22,855 19,106 17,914 25,764 59,875 67,563 -11.4

 Computers........................................ 980 952 871 2.9 9.3 -25.0 1,042 744 709 1,294 2,495 3,591 -30.5

 Nondefense communications

 equipment...................................... 3,293 2,818 3,474 16.9 -18.9 1.0 3,678 2,806 3,011 3,643 9,495 9,466 0.3

 Defense communications equipment....... 55 351 305 -84.3 15.1 -41.8 267 377 272 654 916 1,233 -25.7

 Electronic components......................... 3,487 3,548 3,604 -1.7 -1.6 0.8 3,611 3,425 3,430 3,848 10,466 10,800 -3.1

 Nondefense search and navigation

 equipment...................................... 1,342 1,473 1,510 -8.9 -2.5 -4.1 1,425 1,503 1,453 1,834 4,381 4,841 -9.5

 Defense search and navigation

 equipment...................................... 2,433 2,360 2,327 3.1 1.4 -8.0 2,822 2,693 1,931 3,497 7,446 9,679 -23.1

 Electromedical, measuring,

 and control instruments..................... 6,056 6,117 6,025 -1.0 1.5 -4.4 7,215 5,881 5,479 8,001 18,575 21,352 -13.0

 Electrical equipment, appliances, 

 and components................................... 9,849 10,142 9,910 -2.9 2.3 0.2 10,360 9,814 9,516 10,797 29,690 30,144 -1.5

 Electric lighting equipment..................... 911 916 958 -0.5 -4.4 4.9 945 847 916 963 2,708 2,645 2.4

 Household appliances.......................... 1,630 1,595 1,515 2.2 5.3 -6.8 1,745 1,505 1,359 1,749 4,609 4,533 1.7

 Electrical equipment............................ 2,948 3,014 3,029 -2.2 -0.5 -6.2 3,203 2,889 2,890 3,402 8,982 9,531 -5.8

 Transportation equipment........................ 62,474 73,571 61,181 -15.1 20.3 -17.7 68,941 75,195 54,069 69,926 198,205 199,647 -0.7

 Motor vehicle bodies, parts, 

 and trailers..................................... 19,034 19,103 18,412 -0.4 3.8 -1.3 20,446 19,551 17,596 20,053 57,593 56,453 2.0

 Nondefense aircraft and parts................ 9,075 17,560 9,423 -48.3 86.4 -23.8 9,725 19,102 5,077 10,404 33,904 40,398 -16.1

 Defense aircraft and parts.................... 2,439 2,616 2,804 -6.8 -6.7 -65.0 3,621 2,393 3,411 7,611 9,425 16,579 -43.2

 Ships and boats.................................. 1,598 1,101 1,202 45.1 -8.4 -76.1 1,657 1,622 1,804 1,249 5,083 5,793 -12.3

 Furniture and related products................... 5,432 5,435 5,393 -0.1 0.8 0.1 5,949 5,535 5,080 5,967 16,564 16,589 -0.2

 Nondurable goods industries..................... 251,328 257,436 257,634 -2.4 -0.1 1.4 258,704 240,277 243,269 264,470 742,250 744,365 -0.3

p

 Preliminary r Revised data due to late receipts and concurrent seasonal adjustment.

1

 Estimates of shipments and new orders are for the duration of the period, while estimates of unfilled orders and total inventories are for the end of the period. Not seasonally

 adjusted estimates of shipments and new orders include adjusted data for non-calendar reporters. Seasonally adjusted estimates include concurrent adjustments for holiday

and trading-day differences, where appropriate, as well as seasonal variation, based on the results of the latest annual review of the model parameters. Estimates are not

adjusted for price changes.

2

 Data on new orders are not available for the semiconductor industry. Estimates and percent changes for new orders exclude semiconductor industry data.

Note: Estimates of manufacturers' shipments, inventories and orders are subject to survey error and revision. One major component of survey error is nonsampling

error, which includes errors of coverage, response, and nonreporting. Since the survey panel is not a probability sample, estimates of sampling error cannot be

calculated. For further details on survey design, methodology, and data limitations see <http://www.census.gov/manufacturing/m3/>.

Year to date
 4 

Table 3. Value of Manufacturers' Unfilled Orders for Industry Groups1

[Estimates are shown in millions of dollars and are based on data from the Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders Survey.] 

Seasonally Adjusted Not Seasonally Adjusted

Monthly Percent Change Monthly Percent

Industry Change

Mar. Feb. Jan. Feb. - Jan. - Dec. - Mar. Feb. Jan. Mar. Mar.

2013p 2013r 2013 Mar. Feb. Jan. 2013p 2013r 2013 2012 13/12

All manufacturing industries 2...................... 990,072 997,182 990,391 -0.7 0.7 0.0 1,006,833 1,012,196 994,943 1,000,818 0.6

 Excluding transportation2

...................... 404,257 405,995 406,484 -0.4 -0.1 0.9 411,936 410,876 404,439 425,220 -3.1

 Excluding defense2............................. 802,503 804,920 796,821 -0.3 1.0 0.4 815,039 817,373 800,028 806,850 1.0

 Durable goods industries 2

........................ 990,072 997,182 990,391 -0.7 0.7 0.0 1,006,833 1,012,196 994,943 1,000,818 0.6

 Primary metals........................................ 30,295 30,388 30,120 -0.3 0.9 -1.0 32,023 32,055 30,728 37,061 -13.6

 Iron and steel mills............................... 16,662 16,662 16,417 0.0 1.5 -2.4 18,010 17,996 16,882 21,263 -15.3

 Aluminum and nonferrous metals............. 10,412 10,454 10,403 -0.4 0.5 0.8 10,712 10,689 10,502 12,192 -12.1

 Ferrous metal foundries........................ 3,221 3,272 3,300 -1.6 -0.8 0.3 3,301 3,370 3,344 3,606 -8.5

 Fabricated metal products......................... 87,127 87,000 86,666 0.1 0.4 2.0 89,926 87,516 85,008 82,750 8.7

 Machinery.............................................. 122,304 123,269 123,740 -0.8 -0.4 1.8 123,482 124,525 123,275 141,197 -12.5

 Construction machinery......................... 19,711 19,604 19,918 0.5 -1.6 6.5 20,591 20,492 20,186 28,716 -28.3

 Mining, oil field, and

 gas field machinery.......................... 20,115 20,215 19,502 -0.5 3.7 1.5 19,980 20,353 19,336 19,981 0.0

 Industrial machinery............................. 6,743 6,861 7,192 -1.7 -4.6 -2.1 6,771 6,857 7,216 9,074 -25.4

 Photographic equipment........................ 2,990 3,007 2,951 -0.6 1.9 -1.2 2,943 3,006 2,907 2,645 11.3

 Ventilation, heating, air-conditioning,

 and refrigeration equipment................ 8,311 8,614 8,710 -3.5 -1.1 0.6 8,196 8,385 8,048 9,346 -12.3

 Metalworking machinery........................ 6,527 6,729 6,923 -3.0 -2.8 -1.2 6,684 6,961 6,975 7,922 -15.6

 Turbines, generators, and other 

 power transmission equipment............ 25,544 25,882 26,114 -1.3 -0.9 4.2 25,663 26,057 26,337 29,056 -11.7

 Material handling equipment................... 8,255 8,176 8,185 1.0 -0.1 1.3 8,400 8,202 8,118 8,282 1.4

 Computers and electronic products 2

............. 136,738 137,355 137,952 -0.4 -0.4 0.1 138,292 138,667 137,988 135,073 2.4

 Computers......................................... 1,424 1,438 1,336 -1.0 7.6 -0.4 1,424 1,438 1,336 1,129 26.1

 Nondefense communications

 equipment...................................... 30,691 30,326 30,410 1.2 -0.3 1.8 30,918 30,677 30,424 27,147 13.9

 Defense communications equipment........ 4,970 5,251 5,228 -5.4 0.4 -0.4 5,145 5,249 5,193 5,664 -9.2

 Electronic components.......................... 13,674 13,605 13,514 0.5 0.7 0.3 13,708 13,762 13,517 13,309 3.0

 Nondefense search and navigation

 equipment....................................... 14,830 14,732 14,573 0.7 1.1 1.5 14,773 14,751 14,489 10,994 34.4

 Defense search and navigation

 equipment....................................... 43,388 43,808 44,387 -1.0 -1.3 -1.3 44,055 44,217 44,430 46,902 -6.1

 Electromedical, measuring,

 and control instruments...................... 27,761 28,195 28,504 -1.5 -1.1 -0.4 28,269 28,573 28,599 29,928 -5.5

 Electrical equipment, appliances, 

 and components.................................... 20,673 20,786 20,769 -0.5 0.1 -0.9 21,022 21,222 20,755 21,834 -3.7

 Electric lighting equipment..................... 1,198 1,177 1,164 1.8 1.1 3.7 1,150 1,113 1,128 997 15.3

 Household appliances........................... 589 551 598 6.9 -7.9 -18.8 634 645 632 743 -14.7

 Electrical equipment............................. 10,021 10,076 10,065 -0.5 0.1 0.3 10,041 10,155 10,021 9,903 1.4

 Transportation equipment......................... 585,815 591,187 583,907 -0.9 1.2 -0.7 594,897 601,320 590,504 575,598 3.4

 Motor vehicle bodies, parts, 

 and trailers...................................... 15,811 15,765 15,521 0.3 1.6 -0.4 16,328 16,421 15,843 17,139 -4.7

 Nondefense aircraft and parts................ 419,073 420,012 411,320 -0.2 2.1 -0.1 424,691 427,222 416,003 399,681 6.3

 Defense aircraft and parts..................... 60,521 62,982 64,848 -3.9 -2.9 -2.1 62,219 64,380 66,062 62,211 0.0

 Ships and boats.................................. 16,638 17,294 18,363 -3.8 -5.8 -5.0 17,184 18,039 18,577 20,987 -18.1

 Furniture and related products................... 6,177 6,221 6,255 -0.7 -0.5 -0.9 6,248 5,915 5,703 6,490 -3.7

p Preliminary r Revised data due to late receipts and concurrent seasonal adjustment.

1

 Estimates of shipments and new orders are for the duration of the period, while estimates of unfilled orders and total inventories are for the end of the period. Not seasonally

adjusted estimates of shipments and new orders include adjusted data for non-calendar reporters. Seasonally adjusted estimates include concurrent adjustments for holiday

and trading-day differences, where appropriate, as well as seasonal variation, based on the results of the latest annual review of the model parameters. Estimates are not

adjusted for price changes.

2

 Data on unfilled orders are not available for the semiconductor industry. Estimates and percent changes for unfilled orders exclude semiconductor industry data. 

See note at end of Table 2 relating to survey error and revision.
 5

Table 4. Value of Manufacturers' Inventories for Industry Groups1

[Estimates are shown in millions of dollars and are based on data from the Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders Survey.] 

Seasonally Adjusted Not Seasonally Adjusted

Monthly Percent Change Monthly Percent

Industry Change

Mar. Feb. Jan. Feb. - Jan. - Dec. - Mar. Feb. Jan. Mar. Mar.

2013p 2013r 2013 Mar. Feb. Jan. 2013p 2013r 2013 2012 13/12

 All manufacturing industries...................... 620,223 620,059 618,936 0.0 0.2 0.6 619,537 622,030 615,220 606,737 2.1

 Excluding transportation........................ 502,690 502,333 502,755 0.1 -0.1 0.5 502,745 504,035 499,833 500,312 0.5

 Excluding defense............................. 593,244 592,797 592,541 0.1 0.0 0.6 592,387 594,670 588,765 581,380 1.9

 With unfilled orders............................. 306,217 306,832 305,244 -0.2 0.5 0.5 304,663 307,754 303,552 292,856 4.0

 Durable goods industries........................ 376,242 376,641 375,425 -0.1 0.3 0.4 374,423 378,228 373,772 361,474 3.6

 Wood products........................................ 9,698 9,544 9,429 1.6 1.2 1.5 9,876 9,870 9,608 8,855 11.5

 Nonmetallic mineral products..................... 11,589 11,579 11,604 0.1 -0.2 0.4 11,858 11,819 11,608 11,859 0.0

 Primary metals......................................... 33,857 34,392 34,607 -1.6 -0.6 -0.4 33,798 34,391 34,291 34,763 -2.8

 Iron and steel mills............................... 19,432 19,627 19,949 -1.0 -1.6 -1.0 19,361 19,590 19,686 20,690 -6.4

 Aluminum and nonferrous metals............ 12,335 12,669 12,553 -2.6 0.9 0.7 12,328 12,660 12,489 11,954 3.1

 Ferrous metal foundries........................ 2,090 2,096 2,105 -0.3 -0.4 -0.9 2,109 2,141 2,116 2,119 -0.5

 Fabricated metal products......................... 46,098 45,954 45,988 0.3 -0.1 0.0 45,962 45,897 45,811 45,555 0.9

 Machinery.............................................. 65,317 65,344 65,534 0.0 -0.3 -0.8 65,377 66,133 65,272 64,337 1.6

 Farm machinery.................................. 3,789 3,675 3,721 3.1 -1.2 -1.6 4,065 4,007 3,925 3,876 4.9

 Construction machinery......................... 5,121 4,998 5,059 2.5 -1.2 -5.4 5,180 5,016 4,985 5,843 -11.3

 Mining, oil field, 

 and gas field machinery.................... 7,967 7,955 7,949 0.2 0.1 -0.8 7,963 7,933 7,831 7,363 8.1

 Industrial machinery............................. 7,170 7,145 7,116 0.3 0.4 -0.1 7,163 7,166 7,017 7,272 -1.5

 Photographic equipment....................... 1,613 1,593 1,559 1.3 2.2 3.4 1,538 1,591 1,589 1,343 14.5

 Ventilation, heating, air-conditioning,

 and refrigeration equipment............... 4,445 4,429 4,360 0.4 1.6 3.5 4,515 4,487 4,134 4,007 12.7

 Metalworking machinery........................ 5,554 5,622 5,685 -1.2 -1.1 0.6 5,502 5,565 5,577 5,362 2.6

 Turbines, generators, and other

 power transmission equipment............ 9,844 10,036 10,229 -1.9 -1.9 -4.4 9,569 10,154 10,062 9,942 -3.8

 Material handling equipment.................. 4,419 4,425 4,385 -0.1 0.9 1.9 4,297 4,373 4,313 4,028 6.7

 Computers and electronic products2............ 46,333 46,244 46,330 0.2 -0.2 0.0 45,434 46,231 46,255 45,294 0.3

 Computers......................................... 1,082 1,101 1,112 -1.7 -1.0 8.7 1,022 1,094 1,063 1,260 -18.9

 Computer storage devices.................... 1,011 1,077 1,088 -6.1 -1.0 -0.2 946 1,112 1,040 1,034 -8.5

 Other peripheral equipment................... 1,570 1,582 1,599 -0.8 -1.1 0.5 1,505 1,602 1,568 1,669 -9.8

 Nondefense communications

 equipment...................................... 7,062 6,984 6,937 1.1 0.7 0.6 6,882 7,082 7,017 6,642 3.6

 Defense communications equipment........ 1,408 1,385 1,375 1.7 0.7 3.6 1,408 1,385 1,375 1,803 -21.9

 Audio and video equipment.................... 743 736 717 1.0 2.6 2.9 644 677 688 511 26.0

 Electronic components.......................... 7,377 7,340 7,453 0.5 -1.5 -1.5 7,303 7,400 7,610 7,227 1.1

 Nondefense search and navigation

 equipment...................................... 3,372 3,423 3,474 -1.5 -1.5 0.4 3,369 3,439 3,465 3,369 0.0

 Defense search and navigation

 equipment....................................... 2,844 2,948 2,910 -3.5 1.3 4.8 2,863 2,992 2,882 2,803 2.1

 Electromedical, measuring 

 and control instruments...................... 12,481 12,412 12,308 0.6 0.8 0.6 12,220 12,518 12,361 11,418 7.0

 Electrical equipment, appliances, 

 and components.................................... 15,837 15,822 15,792 0.1 0.2 2.1 15,847 15,983 15,787 15,335 3.3

 Electric lighting equipment..................... 1,867 1,857 1,850 0.5 0.4 0.5 1,845 1,854 1,832 1,687 9.4

 Household appliances........................... 1,677 1,684 1,695 -0.4 -0.6 -0.5 1,674 1,722 1,690 1,695 -1.2

 Electrical equipment............................. 4,532 4,580 4,572 -1.0 0.2 1.2 4,479 4,656 4,620 4,621 -3.1

 Batteries............................................ 1,009 1,027 1,023 -1.8 0.4 1.2 1,024 1,039 999 1,054 -2.8

 Transportation equipment......................... 117,533 117,726 116,181 -0.2 1.3 1.2 116,792 117,995 115,387 106,425 9.7

 Automobiles....................................... 2,865 2,849 2,952 0.6 -3.5 -9.6 2,656 2,839 2,968 2,679 -0.9

 Light trucks and utility vehicles.............. 2,354 2,548 2,734 -7.6 -6.8 2.0 2,233 2,522 2,641 2,398 -6.9

 Heavy duty trucks ............................... 2,171 2,228 2,260 -2.6 -1.4 4.9 2,081 2,262 2,249 1,921 8.3

 Motor vehicle bodies, parts, 

 and trailers...................................... 17,292 17,442 17,443 -0.9 0.0 -0.4 17,223 17,635 17,624 17,492 -1.5

 Nondefense aircraft and parts................ 65,537 65,078 63,858 0.7 1.9 2.7 65,299 65,065 62,928 56,487 15.6

 Defense aircraft and parts..................... 14,274 14,539 13,840 -1.8 5.1 0.2 14,239 14,510 13,734 12,745 11.7

 Ships and boats.................................. 2,913 2,898 2,943 0.5 -1.5 -2.1 2,980 2,936 2,967 2,888 3.2

 Furniture and related products.................... 6,221 6,278 6,254 -0.9 0.4 -0.2 6,043 6,192 6,201 5,812 4.0

 Miscellaneous durable goods..................... 23,759 23,758 23,706 0.0 0.2 0.4 23,436 23,717 23,552 23,239 0.8

 Nondurable goods industries...................... 243,981 243,418 243,511 0.2 0.0 1.0 245,114 243,802 241,448 245,263 -0.1

 Food products........................................ 45,382 45,373 45,765 0.0 -0.9 -0.6 44,379 45,227 45,766 44,197 0.4

 Grain and oilseed milling........................ 4,820 4,925 5,213 -2.1 -5.5 -2.8 4,802 5,086 5,421 5,249 -8.5

 Dairy products.................................... 6,178 6,073 6,000 1.7 1.2 -0.8 6,175 5,999 5,776 5,924 4.2

 Meat, poultry, and seafood products....... 7,887 7,825 7,960 0.8 -1.7 0.2 7,781 7,760 7,884 7,546 3.1

 Beverage and tobacco products................ 19,051 19,070 18,985 -0.1 0.4 -0.2 19,354 19,521 19,227 18,467 4.8

 Beverages......................................... 15,284 15,305 15,247 -0.1 0.4 -0.2 15,478 15,530 15,287 14,680 5.4

 Tobacco............................................ 3,767 3,765 3,738 0.1 0.7 0.0 3,876 3,991 3,940 3,787 2.4

 Textile mills............................................ 3,367 3,364 3,346 0.1 0.5 0.2 3,348 3,363 3,333 3,458 -3.2

 Textile products...................................... 3,253 3,241 3,237 0.4 0.1 0.9 3,246 3,241 3,242 3,201 1.4

 Apparel................................................. 2,526 2,520 2,453 0.2 2.7 0.8 2,411 2,488 2,445 2,155 11.9

 Leather and allied products....................... 895 879 867 1.8 1.4 -1.0 865 870 877 783 10.5

 Paper products....................................... 14,023 14,031 14,069 -0.1 -0.3 0.4 14,103 14,120 14,056 14,327 -1.6

 Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills........... 6,001 6,005 5,983 -0.1 0.4 0.1 6,051 6,063 5,974 6,320 -4.3

 Paperboard containers......................... 4,090 4,083 4,127 0.2 -1.1 0.0 4,131 4,137 4,168 4,110 0.5

 Printing.................................................. 5,224 5,229 5,321 -0.1 -1.7 -0.4 5,260 5,255 5,206 5,371 -2.1

 Petroleum and coal products..................... 52,948 52,865 53,709 0.2 -1.6 1.5 53,967 51,967 51,715 57,293 -5.8

 Petroleum refineries............................. 48,650 48,642 49,473 0.0 -1.7 1.7 49,803 47,814 47,447 53,300 -6.6

 Chemical products..................................... 75,163 74,869 73,984 0.4 1.2 2.4 75,754 75,668 73,877 74,072 2.3

 Pesticides, fertilizers, and other

 agricultural chemicals........................ 4,202 4,070 4,032 3.2 0.9 -1.4 4,641 4,720 4,644 4,374 6.1

 Pharmaceuticals and medicines.............. 25,693 25,218 24,953 1.9 1.1 3.2 25,710 25,324 24,743 24,037 7.0

 Paints, coatings, and adhesives.............. 2,896 2,858 2,857 1.3 0.0 -0.8 2,977 2,937 2,862 2,938 1.3

 Plastics and rubber products..................... 22,149 21,977 21,775 0.8 0.9 0.5 22,427 22,082 21,704 21,939 2.2

p Preliminary r Revised data due to late receipts and concurrent seasonal adjustment.

1

 Estimates of shipments and new orders are for the duration of the period, while estimates of unfilled orders and total inventories are for the end of the period. Not seasonally adjusted 

estimates of shipments and new orders include adjusted data for non-calendar reporters. Seasonally adjusted estimates include concurrent adjustments for holiday and trading-day differences,

where appropriate, as well as seasonal variation, based on the results of the latest annual review of the model parameters. Estimates are not adjusted for price change 2 Estimates of inventories for the semiconductor industry data are included in computers and electronic products and all other applicable aggregate totals, but are not shown separate

See note at end of Table 2 relating to survey error and revision.
 6 

Table 5. Value of Manufacturers' Shipments, New Orders, Unfilled Orders, and Total Inventories for 

 Topical Series1, 2

[Estimates are shown in millions of dollars and are based on data from the Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders Survey.] 

Seasonally Adjusted Not Seasonally Adjusted

Monthly Percent Change Monthly Year to date Percent

Industry Change6

Mar. Feb. Jan. Feb. - Jan. - Dec. - Mar. Feb. Jan. Mar. 2013/

2013p 2013r 2013 Mar. Feb. Jan. 2013p 2013r 2013 2012 2013p 2012 2012

SHIPMENTS

 All manufacturing industries................... 481,766 486,750 484,985 -1.0 0.4 0.4 504,070 455,368 450,502 503,185 1,409,940 1,394,764 1.1

 Construction materials and supplies....... 41,357 42,294 42,662 -2.2 -0.9 3.9 41,073 37,250 37,342 41,492 115,665 113,910 1.5

 Information technology......................... 21,149 21,092 20,830 0.3 1.3 -2.4 23,789 19,131 17,779 24,704 60,699 64,143 -5.4

 Computers and related products........... 2,533 2,288 2,315 10.7 -1.2 -15.8 3,127 1,653 1,650 3,490 6,430 8,178 -21.4

 Motor vehicle and parts......................... 46,510 46,455 44,536 0.1 4.3 0.5 50,042 46,289 41,669 45,946 138,000 126,131 9.4

 Capital goods...................................... 80,978 79,082 78,601 2.4 0.6 -2.7 89,157 73,105 67,872 87,536 230,134 227,608 1.1

 Nondefense capital goods3

.................. 72,285 70,665 70,613 2.3 0.1 -1.6 79,413 64,866 61,276 77,978 205,555 203,109 1.2

 Excluding aircraft............................. 65,606 65,264 64,090 0.5 1.8 -0.7 71,236 60,203 57,040 71,110 188,479 186,557 1.0

 Defense capital goods4

........................ 8,693 8,417 7,988 3.3 5.4 -11.5 9,744 8,239 6,596 9,558 24,579 24,499 0.3

 Consumer goods.................................. 208,570 213,866 211,464 -2.5 1.1 1.7 215,354 201,873 199,274 212,864 616,501 600,133 2.7

 Consumer durable goods..................... 38,522 38,755 37,199 -0.6 4.2 2.7 41,692 38,394 34,109 37,589 114,195 101,093 13.0

 Consumer nondurable goods................ 170,048 175,111 174,265 -2.9 0.5 1.5 173,662 163,479 165,165 175,275 502,306 499,040 0.7

 All manufacturing industries5

................... 467,288 486,809 477,514 -4.0 1.9 -1.0 492,703 467,252 448,793 502,316 1,408,748 1,411,792 -0.2

 Construction materials and supplies....... 41,116 42,356 42,772 -2.9 -1.0 4.4 41,656 38,342 37,687 42,494 117,685 116,403 1.1

 Information technology......................... 20,329 20,500 20,702 -0.8 -1.0 -3.9 23,293 19,999 18,546 26,388 61,838 69,699 -11.3

 Computers and related products........... 2,519 2,390 2,310 5.4 3.5 -14.9 3,113 1,755 1,645 3,534 6,513 8,151 -20.1

 Motor vehicle and parts......................... 46,556 46,699 44,474 -0.3 5.0 0.9 49,949 46,867 41,678 45,739 138,494 126,152 9.8

 Capital goods...................................... 75,601 86,112 78,089 -12.2 10.3 -11.4 85,039 87,338 70,870 90,089 243,247 257,705 -5.6

 Nondefense capital goods3

.................. 70,654 78,572 73,359 -10.1 7.1 2.0 77,457 78,964 65,716 78,093 222,137 229,561 -3.2

 Excluding aircraft............................. 64,934 64,364 67,593 0.9 -4.8 6.7 71,752 63,049 64,365 72,129 199,166 199,601 -0.2

 Defense capital goods4

........................ 4,947 7,540 4,730 -34.4 59.4 -70.8 7,582 8,374 5,154 11,996 21,110 28,144 -25.0

 Consumer goods.................................. 208,564 213,811 211,338 -2.5 1.2 1.6 215,393 202,072 199,331 212,840 616,796 600,545 2.7

 Consumer durable goods..................... 38,516 38,700 37,073 -0.5 4.4 2.3 41,731 38,593 34,166 37,565 114,490 101,505 12.8

 Consumer nondurable goods.............. 170,048 175,111 174,265 -2.9 0.5 1.5 173,662 163,479 165,165 175,275 502,306 499,040 0.7

 All manufacturing industries5

................... 990,072 997,182 990,391 -0.7 0.7 0.0 1,006,833 1,012,196 994,943 1,000,818 (X) (X) 0.6

 Construction materials and supplies....... 55,616 55,857 55,795 -0.4 0.1 0.2 55,992 55,409 54,317 56,290 (X) (X) -0.5

 Information technology......................... 134,919 135,739 136,331 -0.6 -0.4 -0.1 136,724 137,220 136,352 134,600 (X) (X) 1.6

 Computers and related products........... 1,424 1,438 1,336 -1.0 7.6 -0.4 1,424 1,438 1,336 1,129 (X) (X) 26.1

 Motor vehicle and parts......................... 15,811 15,765 15,521 0.3 1.6 -0.4 16,328 16,421 15,843 17,139 (X) (X) -4.7

 Capital goods...................................... 756,482 761,859 754,829 -0.7 0.9 -0.1 769,017 773,135 758,902 759,543 (X) (X) 1.2

 Nondefense capital goods3

.................. 593,174 594,805 586,898 -0.3 1.3 0.5 602,242 604,198 590,100 590,567 (X) (X) 2.0

 Excluding aircraft............................. 233,873 234,545 235,445 -0.3 -0.4 1.5 237,960 237,444 234,598 246,451 (X) (X) -3.4

 Defense capital goods4

........................ 163,308 167,054 167,931 -2.2 -0.5 -1.9 166,775 168,937 168,802 168,976 (X) (X) -1.3

 Consumer goods.................................. 3,875 3,881 3,936 -0.2 -1.4 -3.1 4,123 4,084 3,885 4,159 (X) (X) -0.9

 Consumer durable goods..................... 3,875 3,881 3,936 -0.2 -1.4 -3.1 4,123 4,084 3,885 4,159 (X) (X) -0.9

 All manufacturing industries................... 620,223 620,059 618,936 0.0 0.2 0.6 619,537 622,030 615,220 606,737 (X) (X) 2.1

 Construction materials and supplies....... 60,391 60,039 59,905 0.6 0.2 0.3 60,693 60,530 59,743 58,737 (X) (X) 3.3

 Information technology......................... 40,261 40,251 40,053 0.0 0.5 1.9 39,530 40,531 40,007 38,441 (X) (X) 2.8

 Computers and related products........... 3,663 3,760 3,799 -2.6 -1.0 2.6 3,473 3,808 3,671 3,963 (X) (X) -12.4

 Motor vehicle and parts......................... 24,682 25,067 25,389 -1.5 -1.3 -0.9 24,193 25,258 25,482 24,490 (X) (X) -1.2

 Capital goods...................................... 197,581 197,641 196,091 0.0 0.8 1.1 196,501 198,458 194,620 184,773 (X) (X) 6.3

 Nondefense capital goods3

.................. 175,637 175,306 174,472 0.2 0.5 1.1 174,351 175,996 172,835 164,194 (X) (X) 6.2

 Excluding aircraft............................. 120,405 120,512 120,862 -0.1 -0.3 0.2 119,217 121,316 120,213 116,947 (X) (X) 1.9

 Defense capital goods4

........................ 21,944 22,335 21,619 -1.8 3.3 0.8 22,150 22,462 21,785 20,579 (X) (X) 7.6

 Consumer goods.................................. 182,423 181,991 182,988 0.2 -0.5 0.6 182,088 181,741 181,267 182,719 (X) (X) -0.3

 Consumer durable goods..................... 25,146 25,227 25,396 -0.3 -0.7 -1.5 24,516 25,407 25,678 24,448 (X) (X) 0.3

 Consumer nondurable goods................ 157,277 156,764 157,592 0.3 -0.5 0.9 157,572 156,334 155,589 158,271 (X) (X) -0.4

X Not Applicable p Preliminary r Revised data due to late receipts and concurrent seasonal adjustment.

1 Estimates of shipments and new orders are for the duration of the period, while estimates of unfilled orders and total inventories are for the end of the period. Not seasonally adjuste

estimates of shipments and new orders include adjusted data for non-calendar reporters. Seasonally adjusted estimates include concurrent adjustments for holiday and trading-day differences,

where appropriate, as well as seasonal variation, based on the results of the latest annual review of the model parameters. Estimates are not adjusted for price change

2

 Topical series are regroupings of the separate industry categories

3

 Nondefense capital goods industries include: small arms and ordnance; farm machinery and equipment; construction machinery; mining, oil, and gas field machinery; industrial machine

vending, laundry, and other machinery; photographic equipment; metalworking machinery; turbines and generators; other power transmission equipment; pumps and compresso

material handling equipment; all other machinery; electronic computers; computer storage devices; other computer peripheral equipment; communications equipment; search and navigati

equipment; electromedical, measuring, and control instruments; electrical equipment; other electrical equipment, appliances, and components; heavy duty trucks; aircraft; railroad rolling stoc

ships and boats; office and institutional furniture; and medical equipment and supplie

4 Defense capital goods industries include: small arms and ordnance; communications equipment; aircraft; missiles, space vehicles, and parts; ships and boat

and search and navigation equipment.

5 Estimates and percent changes exclude semiconductor industry data

6

 Based on year-to-date for shipments and new orders, but on same month prior year for unfilled orders and inventories.

See note at end of Table 2 relating to survey error and revision.

NEW ORDERS 

UNFILLED ORDERS 

TOTAL INVENTORIES 
 7

Table 6. Value of Manufacturers' Inventories, by Stage of Fabrication, by Industry Group

1 

[Estimates are shown in millions of dollars and are based on data from the Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders Survey.] 

Seasonally Adjusted Not Seasonally Adjusted

Monthly Percent Change Monthly Percent

Industry Change

Mar. Feb. Jan. Feb. - Jan. - Dec. - Mar. Feb. Jan. Mar. Mar.

2013p 2013r 2013 Mar. Feb. Jan. 2013p 2013r 2013 2012 13/12

MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES

 All manufacturing industries....................... 202,244 202,148 203,050 0.0 -0.4 0.5 202,183 202,477 202,988 201,520 0.3

 Durable goods industries.......................... 121,097 121,558 121,244 -0.4 0.3 0.3 120,196 121,761 121,455 118,468 1.5

 Wood products................................... 3,896 3,783 3,745 3.0 1.0 4.1 3,868 3,935 3,923 3,383 14.3

 Nonmetallic mineral products................. 4,668 4,693 4,643 -0.5 1.1 0.8 4,692 4,709 4,653 4,833 -2.9

 Primary metals.................................... 12,708 13,028 13,273 -2.5 -1.8 0.0 12,536 12,978 13,328 13,229 -5.2

 Fabricated metal products........................ 16,404 16,511 16,570 -0.6 -0.4 0.6 16,182 16,364 16,590 16,661 -2.9

 Machinery.......................................... 25,247 25,347 25,236 -0.4 0.4 -1.0 25,029 25,302 25,085 24,771 1.0

 Computers and electronic products........ 17,811 17,877 18,139 -0.4 -1.4 0.7 17,545 17,758 18,246 17,129 2.4

 Electrical equipment, appliances,

 and components............................... 6,976 7,010 6,941 -0.5 1.0 1.6 7,022 7,088 6,932 6,807 3.2

 Transportation equipment..................... 22,847 22,751 22,152 0.4 2.7 0.5 22,869 23,070 22,134 20,965 9.1

 Furniture and related products............... 2,891 2,916 2,968 -0.9 -1.8 1.6 2,853 2,903 2,960 2,826 1.0

 Miscellaneous products......................... 7,649 7,642 7,577 0.1 0.9 -0.6 7,600 7,654 7,604 7,864 -3.4

 Nondurable goods industries...................... 81,147 80,590 81,806 0.7 -1.5 0.7 81,987 80,716 81,533 83,052 -1.3

 Food products.................................... 14,101 14,253 14,736 -1.1 -3.3 -2.7 13,864 14,277 14,987 14,554 -4.7

 Beverage and tobacco products.................. 4,888 4,958 4,892 -1.4 1.3 -0.4 4,991 5,152 5,044 4,946 0.9

 Textiles.............................................. 1,218 1,223 1,217 -0.4 0.5 1.7 1,216 1,222 1,211 1,223 -0.6

 Textile products................................... 1,543 1,531 1,544 0.8 -0.8 1.4 1,534 1,515 1,534 1,501 2.2

 Apparel............................................. 856 833 823 2.8 1.2 0.9 837 826 821 697 20.1

 Leather and allied products.................... 291 283 274 2.8 3.3 0.0 280 276 273 252 11.1

 Paper products.................................... 6,831 6,863 6,914 -0.5 -0.7 0.3 6,872 6,900 6,994 7,115 -3.4

 Printing ............................................. 2,410 2,446 2,485 -1.5 -1.6 1.2 2,440 2,468 2,464 2,594 -5.9

 Petroleum and coal products................. 17,451 16,458 17,142 6.0 -4.0 2.5 18,160 16,091 16,313 18,227 -0.4

 Chemical products................................ 22,735 22,964 23,182 -1.0 -0.9 2.2 22,931 23,219 23,262 23,271 -1.5

 Plastics and rubber products.................. 8,823 8,778 8,597 0.5 2.1 -0.4 8,862 8,770 8,630 8,672 2.2

WORK IN PROCESS

 All manufacturing industries....................... 195,980 195,043 192,630 0.5 1.3 1.0 195,879 195,862 191,392 187,407 4.5

 Durable goods industries.......................... 149,178 148,447 147,056 0.5 0.9 0.7 148,336 148,724 145,884 139,470 6.4

 Wood products................................... 1,652 1,630 1,538 1.3 6.0 -4.8 1,674 1,643 1,518 1,491 12.3

 Nonmetallic mineral products................. 1,344 1,367 1,351 -1.7 1.2 -0.9 1,386 1,405 1,324 1,355 2.3

 Primary metals.................................... 10,755 10,908 10,979 -1.4 -0.6 -0.6 10,704 10,890 10,748 11,180 -4.3

 Fabricated metal products........................ 13,860 13,727 13,668 1.0 0.4 -0.7 13,722 13,695 13,598 13,188 4.0

 Machinery.......................................... 16,493 16,550 16,574 -0.3 -0.1 -1.6 16,367 16,736 16,420 16,308 0.4

 Computers and electronic products........ 15,256 15,218 15,242 0.2 -0.2 -0.4 15,109 15,204 15,189 16,455 -8.2

 Electrical equipment, appliances,

 and components............................... 3,734 3,692 3,668 1.1 0.7 2.1 3,709 3,704 3,690 3,527 5.2

 Transportation equipment..................... 81,748 81,000 79,631 0.9 1.7 1.9 81,384 81,096 79,063 71,727 13.5

 Furniture and related products............... 1,041 1,030 1,012 1.1 1.8 -0.7 1,027 1,025 1,009 1,012 1.5

 Miscellaneous products......................... 3,295 3,325 3,393 -0.9 -2.0 0.1 3,254 3,326 3,325 3,227 0.8

 Nondurable goods industries...................... 46,802 46,596 45,574 0.4 2.2 2.0 47,543 47,138 45,508 47,937 -0.8

 Food products.................................... 4,365 4,316 4,222 1.1 2.2 4.1 4,229 4,451 4,495 3,742 13.0

 Beverage and tobacco products.................. 6,308 6,298 6,329 0.2 -0.5 0.5 6,450 6,592 6,665 5,995 7.6

 Textiles.............................................. 770 765 758 0.7 0.9 -2.3 759 756 754 773 -1.8

 Textile products................................... 411 416 417 -1.2 -0.2 1.5 414 423 422 435 -4.8

 Apparel............................................. 354 360 363 -1.7 -0.8 -5.5 336 347 348 359 -6.4

 Leather and allied products.................... 110 113 114 -2.7 -0.9 11.8 109 117 113 120 -9.2

 Paper products.................................... 1,323 1,310 1,300 1.0 0.8 0.0 1,318 1,317 1,311 1,301 1.3

 Printing ............................................. 1,170 1,144 1,191 2.3 -3.9 -2.8 1,176 1,169 1,149 1,210 -2.8

 Petroleum and coal products................. 13,095 13,408 12,762 -2.3 5.1 -2.2 13,792 13,459 12,036 16,112 -14.4

 Chemical products................................ 16,586 16,226 15,877 2.2 2.2 6.9 16,615 16,241 15,956 15,625 6.3

 Plastics and rubber products.................. 2,310 2,240 2,241 3.1 0.0 0.2 2,345 2,266 2,259 2,265 3.5

FINISHED GOODS

 All manufacturing industries....................... 221,999 222,868 223,256 -0.4 -0.2 0.4 221,475 223,691 220,840 217,810 1.7

 Durable goods industries.......................... 105,967 106,636 107,125 -0.6 -0.5 0.0 105,891 107,743 106,433 103,536 2.3

 Wood products................................... 4,150 4,131 4,146 0.5 -0.4 1.7 4,334 4,292 4,167 3,981 8.9

 Nonmetallic mineral products................. 5,577 5,519 5,610 1.1 -1.6 0.3 5,780 5,705 5,631 5,671 1.9

 Primary metals.................................... 10,394 10,456 10,355 -0.6 1.0 -0.7 10,558 10,523 10,215 10,354 2.0

 Fabricated metal products........................ 15,834 15,716 15,750 0.8 -0.2 0.0 16,058 15,838 15,623 15,706 2.2

 Machinery.......................................... 23,577 23,447 23,724 0.6 -1.2 -0.1 23,981 24,095 23,767 23,258 3.1

 Computers and electronic products........ 13,266 13,149 12,949 0.9 1.5 -0.3 12,780 13,269 12,820 11,710 9.1

 Electrical equipment, appliances,

 and components............................... 5,127 5,120 5,183 0.1 -1.2 2.7 5,116 5,191 5,165 5,001 2.3

 Transportation equipment..................... 12,938 13,975 14,398 -7.4 -2.9 -1.4 12,539 13,829 14,190 13,733 -8.7

 Furniture and related products............... 2,289 2,332 2,274 -1.8 2.6 -2.3 2,163 2,264 2,232 1,974 9.6

 Miscellaneous products......................... 12,815 12,791 12,736 0.2 0.4 1.1 12,582 12,737 12,623 12,148 3.6

 Nondurable goods industries...................... 116,032 116,232 116,131 -0.2 0.1 0.9 115,584 115,948 114,407 114,274 1.1

 Food products.................................... 26,916 26,804 26,807 0.4 0.0 0.0 26,286 26,499 26,284 25,901 1.5

 Beverage and tobacco products.................. 7,855 7,814 7,764 0.5 0.6 -0.6 7,913 7,777 7,518 7,526 5.1

 Textiles.............................................. 1,379 1,376 1,371 0.2 0.4 0.4 1,373 1,385 1,368 1,462 -6.1

 Textile products................................... 1,299 1,294 1,276 0.4 1.4 0.2 1,298 1,303 1,286 1,265 2.6

 Apparel............................................. 1,316 1,327 1,267 -0.8 4.7 2.8 1,238 1,315 1,276 1,099 12.6

 Leather and allied products.................... 494 483 479 2.3 0.8 -4.2 476 477 491 411 15.8

 Paper products.................................... 5,869 5,858 5,855 0.2 0.1 0.5 5,913 5,903 5,751 5,911 0.0

 Printing ............................................. 1,644 1,639 1,645 0.3 -0.4 -1.1 1,644 1,618 1,593 1,567 4.9

 Petroleum and coal products................. 22,402 22,999 23,805 -2.6 -3.4 2.9 22,015 22,417 23,366 22,954 -4.1

 Chemical products................................ 35,842 35,679 34,925 0.5 2.2 0.7 36,208 36,208 34,659 35,176 2.9

 Plastics and rubber products.................. 11,016 10,959 10,937 0.5 0.2 1.3 11,220 11,046 10,815 11,002 2.0

p Preliminary r Revised data due to late receipts and concurrent seasonal adjustment.

1

 Estimates of shipments and new orders are for the duration of the period, while estimates of unfilled orders and total inventories are for the end of the period. Not seasonally adjusted 

estimates of shipments and new orders include adjusted data for non-calendar reporters. Seasonally adjusted estimates include concurrent adjustments for holiday and trading-day differences,

where appropriate, as well as seasonal variation, based on the results of the latest annual review of the model parameters. Estimates are not adjusted for price changes.

See note at end of Table 2 relating to survey error and revisions.
 8

Table 7. Ratios of Manufacturers' Inventories to Shipments and Unfilled Orders 

 to Shipments, by Industry Group3

[Based on Seasonally Adjusted data from the Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders Survey.] 

Inventory/Shipments ratio Unfilled Orders/Shipments ratio1

Industry Mar Feb Jan Dec Mar Feb Jan Dec

2013p 2013r 2013 2012 2013p 2013r 2013 2012

All manufacturing industries2

............................ 1.29 1.27 1.28 1.27 (X) (X) (X) (X)

Durable goods industries2

.................................. 1.63 1.64 1.65 1.63 6.20 6.28 6.25 6.15

 Wood products.............................................. 1.41 1.38 1.39 1.45 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Nonmetallic mineral products......................... 1.43 1.40 1.41 1.42 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Primary metals.............................................. 1.21 1.20 1.19 1.16 1.08 1.06 1.04 1.02

 Fabricated metal products.............................. 1.67 1.64 1.65 1.69 3.28 3.22 3.22 3.23

 Machinery..................................................... 1.89 1.90 1.96 1.99 3.84 3.93 4.07 3.96

 Computers and electronic products2

................ 1.66 1.70 1.70 1.65 7.49 7.54 7.65 7.49

 Electrical equipment, appliances,

 and components........................................ 1.59 1.56 1.56 1.54 2.32 2.30 2.29 2.33

 Transportation equipment.............................. 1.73 1.78 1.79 1.73 14.53 15.28 14.97 14.40

 Furniture and related products........................ 1.14 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.32 1.31 1.33 1.34

 Miscellaneous products.................................. 1.69 1.68 1.69 1.69 (X) (X) (X) (X)

Nondurable goods industries............................. 0.97 0.95 0.95 0.95 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Food products.............................................. 0.73 0.73 0.73 0.74 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Beverage and tobacco products...................... 1.51 1.55 1.56 1.56 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Textiles........................................................ 1.34 1.32 1.34 1.34 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Textile products............................................ 1.58 1.57 1.61 1.63 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Apparel......................................................... 2.02 1.97 1.93 1.94 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Leather and allied products............................. 1.95 1.89 1.74 1.86 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Paper products.............................................. 1.03 1.02 1.03 1.02 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Printing......................................................... 0.79 0.79 0.78 0.82 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Petroleum and coal products........................... 0.75 0.70 0.71 0.72 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Chemical products......................................... 1.21 1.20 1.18 1.15 (X) (X) (X) (X)

 Plastics and rubber products........................... 1.27 1.24 1.21 1.24 (X) (X) (X) (X)

X Not Applicable p

 Preliminary r Revised data due to late receipts and concurrent seasonal adjustment.

1

 Excludes the following industries with no unfilled orders: Wood products; nonmetallic mineral products; 

medical equipment and supplies; office supplies; other miscellaneous manufacturing; cutlery and handtools;

farm and garden machinery; computer storage and peripheral devices; audio and video equipment; manufacturing

and reproducing magnetic and optical media; batteries; automobiles; light trucks and utility vehicles; heavy duty

trucks; and miscellaneous furniture.

2 Unfilled orders to shipments ratio excludes semiconductor manufacturing.

Mar2 Mar2 Mar2 Mar2

Industry 2012- 2012- 2012- 2012-

Mar1 Feb Mar1 Feb Mar1 Feb Mar1 Feb

2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013

All manufacturing industries.................. (X) 0.3 (X) 0.4 (X) 0.1 (X) 0.1

Durable goods industries....................... 0.1 0.3 -0.1 0.6 -0.1 0.1 -0.2 0.1

 Wood products................................... (X) 0.9 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.3

 Nonmetallic mineral products.............. (X) 0.5 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.2

 Primary metals.................................... -0.1 0.6 -0.2 1.4 -0.2 0.8 -0.5 0.5

 Fabricated metal products.................... -0.4 0.3 -0.9 0.8 -0.3 0.3 0.0 0.2

 Machinery.......................................... 0.0 0.7 0.6 1.3 -0.2 0.3 -0.2 0.2

 Computers and electronic products..... -0.1 0.8 -0.5 1.1 0.1 0.1 -0.6 0.2

 Electrical equipment, appliances,

 and components............................. 0.0 0.4 -0.5 0.8 -0.2 0.3 -0.2 0.4

 Transportation equipment.................... 0.2 0.4 -0.1 1.6 0.0 0.2 -0.1 0.2

 Furniture and related products............. (X) 0.4 (X) 0.5 (X) 0.4 (X) 0.4

 Miscellaneous products...................... (X) 0.5 (X) 0.5 (X) 0.7 (X) 0.2

Nondurable goods industries................... (X) 0.5 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.1

 Food products................................... (X) 0.1 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.2

 Beverage and tobacco products............ (X) 0.4 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.3

 Textiles............................................. (X) 0.3 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.3

 Textile products.................................. (X) 0.5 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.4

 Apparel.............................................. (X) 0.9 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.9

 Leather and allied products.................... (X) 1.0 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.5

 Paper products.................................... (X) 0.2 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.2

 Printing.............................................. (X) 0.9 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.7

 Petroleum and coal products................. (X) 1.4 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.6

 Chemical products................................ (X) 0.3 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.2

 Plastics and rubber products................. (X) 0.8 (X) (NA) (X) (NA) (X) 0.2

X Not Applicable NA Not Available

1

 The current month revisions are the difference between the advance percent change and the percent change as shown in this

 publication.

2

 The twelve month revisions are the differences between the month-to-month percent changes of the preliminary and

final estimates. The monthly averages are the simple averages of the absolute values of the differences for the months specified. 

The advance to final percent change revisions for the durable goods industries are shown in the advance report for the month.

3

 Estimates of shipments and new orders are for the duration of the period, while estimates of unfilled orders and total inventories 

are for the end of the period. Not seasonally adjusted estimates of shipments and new orders include adjusted data for non-calendar 

reporters. Seasonally adjusted estimates include concurrent adjustments for holiday and trading-day differences, where appropriate, 

as well as seasonal variation, based on the results of the latest annual review of the model parameters. Estimates are not adjusted 

for price changes.

Table 8. Revisions to Previously Published Monthly Percent Changes3

[Based on Seasonally Adjusted data from the Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders Survey.] 

Shipments New Orders Unfilled Orders Inventories
9 

Survey Description 

This report is compiled from results of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Manufacturers’ Shipments, Inventories, 

and Orders (M3) survey. This survey provides statistics on manufacturers' value of shipments, new 

orders (net of cancellations), end-of-month order backlog (unfilled orders), end-of-month total inventory 

(at current cost or market value), and inventories by stage of fabrication (materials and supplies, work-inprocess, and finished goods). The M3 includes approximately 4,300 reporting units. Units may be 

divisions of diversified large companies, large homogenous companies, or single-unit manufacturers in 89 

industry categories. Due to the small monthly sample, these 89 categories have been combined into 65 

publication levels. The survey methodology assumes that the month-to-month changes of the total 

operations of those companies in the monthly survey effectively represent the month-to-month 

movements of all establishments that make up the category. The current coverage levels in the survey 

show that reported data in the monthly survey represent approximately 60 percent of the shipments 

estimates at the total manufacturing level. Data published represent manufacturing in a calendar month. 

The data collection is based on a voluntary survey authorized by Title 13 of the United States Code. 

The data presented in this release are based on data obtained from a panel of 4,300 reporting units and 

provide an indication of the activity within the manufacturing sector. The results differ from what would 

be obtained from a complete enumeration of all manufacturing companies. In addition, a different panel 

of 4,300 companies would yield different results. The M3 panel is comprised of companies with $500 

million or more in shipments and a limited number of smaller companies. From a statistical perspective, 

the panel is not a probability sample; therefore, the sampling errors that are normally provided with 

sample surveys cannot be measured. Nonsampling errors are attributable to many sources. The use of 

company or divisional reports to estimate the monthly change for establishments is one source of 

nonsampling error. The use of primarily large companies to represent the month-to-month movement of 

all companies is another potential source. Any corrections will be published in the full report. 

Corrections received after the full report will be released in the next month’s advance report. Any 

revisions made later than two months will be reflected in the annual benchmark publication. 

Additional survey documentation can be found on our web site: http://www.census.gov/m3. 

Benchmark Notice 

Revised historical data for Manufacturers’ Shipments, Inventories, and Orders will be issued on May 17, 

2013. These revisions reflect: 

 benchmarking the shipments and inventories data to the 2011 Annual Survey of Manufactures 

(ASM) data, as well as revised ASM benchmarks for prior years; 

 incorporating the unfilled orders to shipments ratios obtained from the 2010/2011 Manufacturers’ 

Unfilled Orders Survey by applying these ratios to the respective ASM shipments data, as well as 

incorporating revised unfilled orders to shipments ratios for prior years; 

 adjusting the new orders data to be consistent with the benchmarked shipments and unfilled orders 

data; 

 correcting monthly data for late receipts, reclassifications of reported data, and revisions to 

previously reported data; 

 migrating the data processing environment from a server having a Linux Red Hat 4 operating system 

that supports SAS® 9.1.3 to a server having a Linux Red Hat 5 operating system that supports SAS® 

9.2; and 

 updating the seasonally adjusted data, based on the results of benchmarking and the recent annual 

review of the seasonal adjustment models. 

An accompanying press release will include the revised 2013 January through March data. Please call 

Jessica Young on (301) 763-4832 with any questions.