Industrial Heating monthly economic indicators for May 2005 showed a return of strength from the slight dip in April 2005. Three of the four indices (RFQs, Orders and Backlogs) all moved up sharply. The Future Health of the Thermal Processing Industry index also moved up, but more conservatively. All in all, these results mark the 23rd consecutive month of growth in the thermal processing industry. May 2005 index numbers reflect the changes experienced by responding companies as they compare their May 2005 business levels to April 2005 levels. May 2005 Index Numbers: Change in number of Request for Proposals from April to May: 57.0 Change in the Number of Orders from April to May: 56.2 Change in Backlog from April to May: 59.4 Expected Change in the Health of Thermal Processing Industry through June: 53.9 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 1,200 industry suppliers are contacted via e-mail to participate in a web-based 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 by phone: 412-306-4351 or by e-mail: doug@industrialheating.com. These results will be published on the editorial page of the July 2005 issue.