Industrial Heating Economic Indicators for September showed their strongest upward move in 18 months supporting what many believe to be a sustained improvement in the manufacturing economy. All September indices increased a minimum of 3 index points with the largest increase being a 9-point jump in the RFQ index. The Orders index jumped its largest amount since the establishment of the index (April 2002) moving up nearly 8 points. All four indices registered values above 50, indicating an increase in business levels. September 2003 index numbers reflect the changes experienced by responding companies as they compare their September 2003 business levels to August 2003 levels. Change in number of Request for Proposals from August to September is 59.9, change in Number of Orders from August to September is 59.7, change in Backlog from August to September is 56.9 and Expected Change in the Health of the Thermal Processing Industry through October is 56.7. 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 - tel: 412-531-3370, or by email: doug@industrialheating.com. These results are also published monthly on the editorial page of Industrial Heating.