Industrial Heating's monthly Economic Indicators indicate that business conditions continued to improve in April over March. The Orders index showed its second highest value in over 24 months. The Request for Quotation index, the Expected Health of the Thermal Processing Economy index, and the Backlog index all showed their highest values in 24 months. April 2004 index numbers reflect the changes experienced by responding companies as they compare their April 2004 business levels to March 2004 levels. Change in number of Request for Proposals from March to April is 63.8, change in the Number of Orders from March to April is 61.7, change in Backlog from March to April is 57.9 and Expected Change in the Health of the Thermal Processing Industry through May is 64.0. A number above 50.0 indicates increased activity or growth. A number below 50.0 indicates decreased activity or a decline in growth. Look for these numbers, along with historical values, on the editorial page of the next issue of Industrial Heating. Roughly 375 industry suppliers are faxed a survey the first full week of each month. If you are an industry supplier and would like to participate in this monthly survey, please contact Industrial Heating Publisher Doug Glenn at 412-531-3370; fax: 412-531-3375; e-mail: doug@industrialheating.com or visit http://www.industrialheating.com.