Industrial Heating's monthly economic indicators for September 2004 showed their 14th month of consecutive growth in September. Although all four of the economic indicators are above the index value of 50, the index numbers are lower than in the past several months. The Orders index experienced the largest dip and is now at 51.6. Nonetheless, the economic picture is still very positive with all indices showing their 14th straight month of growth. September 2004 index numbers reflect the changes experienced by responding companies as they compare their September 2004 business levels to August 2004 levels. September 2004 Index Numbers: Change in number of Request for Proposals from August to September: 54.8 Change in Number of Orders from August to September: 51.6 Change in Backlog from August to September: 51.0 Expected change in the Health of Thermal Processing Industry through October: 54.3 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: 412-531-3370 or e-mail: doug@industrialheating.com.