Humane World for Animals delivers over 195,000 signatures to Target demanding action on animal welfare commitments
MINNEAPOLIS, July 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today Humane World for Animals, formerly called the Humane Society of the United States, delivered more than 195,000 signatures in person to Target's downtown Minneapolis headquarters, calling on the company to fulfill its long-overdue commitments to eliminate the extreme confinement of pigs and hens in its supply chain.
In 2012, Target pledged to stop sourcing pork from farms that confine pregnant pigs in gestation crates so small they are unable to even turn around. Then in 2016, the company committed to selling only cage-free eggs by 2025. Yet, despite making these pledges more than a decade ago, Target has failed to deliver on either promise.
During the petition event, speakers, advocates and supporters from Humane World for Animals delivered 15 large boxes of signed petitions alongside life-sized battery cages stuffed with replica chickens. Dozens of members of the public engaged with the advocates and expressed support for Target's transition to selling eggs and pork sourced from chickens and pigs who are not forced to suffer in extreme confinement. Meanwhile, a mobile billboard circled downtown Minneapolis urging the public to visit the campaign website, TargetCruelty.com.
'We delivered a critical message to Target backed by more than 195,000 consumers: extreme confinement of farm animals is not only cruel but completely unnecessary,' said Kent Stein, corporate policy specialist at Humane World for Animals and one of the event's speakers. 'We urge Target to listen to its customers and follow through on long overdue promises to eliminate animal cruelty in its supply chain. We know they can do better just like all the large corporations who have already made, kept and implemented their commitments to animal welfare.'
On a typical egg factory farm, hens are crammed into barren wire cages where they endure a lifetime of captivity in a space smaller than a single letter-sized sheet of paper. Pregnant pigs confined in horrific gestation crates suffer from muscle and bone deterioration as well as severe distress, gnawing on the bars of their small cages until their mouths bleed.
'More than a decade has passed since Target made these commitments, yet millions of animals in its supply chain are still suffering in tiny cages,' said Aaron Zellhoefer, Minnesota state director at Humane World for Animals and a featured speaker at the event. 'While many high-profile companies have already made good on their commitments—including Minnesota-based General Mills—Target continues to fall behind. Stop stalling. The time for action is now.'
Fourteen states have already banned one or both of forms of extreme confinement for egg-laying hens and pregnant pigs, and hundreds of major companies—including Amazon, McDonald's, Costco, Unilever and Nestlé—have adopted similar policies within their U.S. operations.
To learn more and take action visit TargetCruelty.com.
Download Photos/Videos of today's event
Download Photos/Videos of animals in gestation crates and battery cages
About Humane World for Animals
Together, we tackle the root causes of animal cruelty and suffering to create permanent change. With millions of supporters and work happening in over 50 countries, Humane World for Animals—formerly called the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International—addresses the most deeply entrenched forms of animal cruelty and suffering. As the leading voice in the animal protection space, we work to end the cruelest practices, care for animals in crisis and build a stronger animal protection movement. Driving toward the greatest global impact, we aim to achieve the vision behind our name: a more humane world. humaneworld.org
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Manufacturing PMI® at 48%; July 2025 Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®
New Orders and Backlogs Contracting; Production Growing and Employment Contracting; Supplier Deliveries Faster; Raw Materials Inventories Contracting; Customers' Inventories Too Low; Prices Increasing; Exports and Imports Contracting TEMPE, Ariz., Aug. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in July for the fifth consecutive month, following a two-month expansion preceded by 26 straight months of contraction, say the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®. The report was issued today by Susan Spence, MBA, Chair of the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) Manufacturing Business Survey Committee: 'The Manufacturing PMI® registered 48 percent in July, a 1-percentage point decrease compared to the 49 percent recorded in June. The overall economy continued in expansion for the 63rd month after one month of contraction in April 2020. (A Manufacturing PMI® above 42.3 percent, over a period of time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy.) The New Orders Index contracted for the sixth month in a row following a three-month period of expansion; the figure of 47.1 percent is 0.7 percentage point higher than the 46.4 percent recorded in June. The July reading of the Production Index (51.4 percent) is 1.1 percentage points higher than June's figure of 50.3 percent. The Prices Index remained in expansion (or 'increasing') territory, registering 64.8 percent, down 4.9 percentage points compared to the reading of 69.7 percent reported in June. The Backlog of Orders Index registered 46.8 percent, up 2.5 percentage points compared to the 44.3 percent recorded in June. The Employment Index registered 43.4 percent, down 1.6 percentage points from June's figure of 45 percent. 'The Supplier Deliveries Index indicated faster delivery performance after seven consecutive months in expansion (or 'slower') territory. The reading of 49.3 percent is down 4.9 percentage points from the 54.2 percent recorded in June. (Supplier Deliveries is the only ISM® Report On Business® index that is inversed; a reading of above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries, which is typical as the economy improves and customer demand increases.) The Inventories Index registered 48.9 percent, down 0.3 percentage point compared to June's reading of 49.2 percent. 'The New Export Orders Index reading of 46.1 percent is 0.2 percentage point lower than the reading of 46.3 percent registered in June. The Imports Index registered 47.6 percent, 0.2 percentage point higher than June's reading of 47.4 percent.' Spence continues, 'In July, U.S. manufacturing activity contracted at a faster rate, with declines in the Supplier Deliveries and Employment Indexes contributing as the biggest factors in the 1-percentage point loss of the Manufacturing PMI®. 'The demand indicators improved, with the New Orders and Backlog of Orders indexes contracting at slower rates, while the Customers' Inventories and New Export Orders indexes contracted at slightly faster rates. A 'too low' status for the Customers' Inventories Index is usually considered positive for future production. 'Regarding output, the Production Index increased month over month to move further into expansion territory, however; the Employment Index dropped further into contraction as panelists indicated that managing head count is still the norm at their companies, as opposed to hiring. The mixed indicators in output suggest companies still being cautious in their hiring even with an increase in production. 'Finally, inputs (defined as supplier deliveries, inventories, prices and imports), on net, declined further into contraction territory. The Inventories Index moved marginally further into contraction territory after expanding in April, as companies work to reduce or adjust inventory to better align with demand. The Supplier Deliveries Index indicated faster deliveries as supply chain performance improved and sluggish demand continued. Prices continued to increase, but at a slower rate. The Imports Index remained in contraction but moved upward slightly. 'Looking at the manufacturing economy, 79 percent of the sector's gross domestic product (GDP) contracted in July, up from 46 percent in June. Notably, 31 percent of GDP is strongly contracting (registering a composite PMI® of 45 percent or lower), up from 25 percent in June. The share of sector GDP with a PMI® at or below 45 percent is a good metric to gauge overall manufacturing weakness. Of the six largest manufacturing industries, none expanded in July, compared to four in June,' says Spence. The seven manufacturing industries reporting growth in July — listed in order — are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Textile Mills; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Furniture & Related Products; and Primary Metals. The 10 industries reporting contraction in July — in the following order — are: Printing & Related Support Activities; Paper Products; Chemical Products; Machinery; Wood Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Transportation Equipment; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products. WHAT RESPONDENTS ARE SAYING 'Fairly flat quarter over quarter, but with us being in the safety and security sector (and with U.S. Customs and Border Protection as a customer), the recent bill that passed should result in an increase in business in the coming months.' [Computer & Electronic Products] 'Sales continue at unprecedented growth, driven by data-center construction. Customers and the sales team continue to demand lower pricing, which drives down gross margins in face of input price increases, primarily from aluminum imports.' [Chemical Products] 'These tariff wars are beginning to wear us out. It's been very difficult to forecast what we will pay in duties and calculate any cost savings we've had this year. Also, tariffs have disrupted our customs import bond. There is zero clarity about the future, and it's been a difficult few months trying to figure out where everything is going to land and the impact on our business. So far, tremendous and unexpected costs have been incurred.' [Apparel, Leather & Allied Products] 'Currently, higher interest rates still depress the construction industry for new construction projects. Tariff policies are uncertain, which slows down (1) our investment in new projects, (2) component sourcing for new products, (3) blanket orders and (4) replenishment of large inventory quantities. Instead, we're working to shift suppliers to lower political risk countries or develop domestic sources. We are impacted by the higher tariffs on costs of raw materials and components both sourced domestically and from overseas, and we expect expenses will be higher in the third and fourth quarters as we consume the inventory received with new and higher tariffs or update costs from domestic sources in the second quarter.' [Machinery] 'Sales softening more than usual during the summer. Negotiations with non-U.S. manufacturers are strained as we are reluctant to issue POs for deliveries three or more months into the future with prices that include current tariffs.' [Fabricated Metal Products] 'In the health-care world we continue with 'business as normal,' but we are increasingly searching and assessing geopolitical risk mitigation options.' [Miscellaneous Manufacturing] 'Tariffs are causing complete uncertainty around sourcing strategies. A sit-and-wait game for now.' [Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components] 'Sales are about on par with 2024, but nowhere near budget forecast. Tariff concerns seem to be growing as the year progresses.' [Nonmetallic Mineral Products] 'Business is steady, with solid bookings and backlog. Still uncertainty about tariffs and associated inflation.' [Furniture & Related Products] 'Energy capacity, specifically in the grid operated by PJM Interconnection, continues to be one of the major concerns for business continuity and growth in this region. The procurement of power and rising natural gas prices in this region due to past green energy policies, coupled with future projected allocations for artificial intelligence data centers, adds additional stress to the PJM system.' [Primary Metals] 'Cautiously stable. Tariff impacts are still being monitored. Some increases have been implemented while monitoring other products.' [Transportation Equipment] MANUFACTURING AT A GLANCE July 2025 Index SeriesIndex Jul SeriesIndex Jun Percentage Point Change Direction Rate of Change Trend* (Months) Manufacturing PMI® 48.0 49.0 -1.0 Contracting Faster 5 New Orders 47.1 46.4 +0.7 Contracting Slower 6 Production 51.4 50.3 +1.1 Growing Faster 2 Employment 43.4 45.0 -1.6 Contracting Faster 6 Supplier Deliveries 49.3 54.2 -4.9 Faster From Slower 1 Inventories 48.9 49.2 -0.3 Contracting Faster 3 Customers' Inventories 45.7 46.7 -1.0 Too Low Faster 10 Prices 64.8 69.7 -4.9 Increasing Slower 10 Backlog of Orders 46.8 44.3 +2.5 Contracting Slower 34 New Export Orders 46.1 46.3 -0.2 Contracting Faster 5 Imports 47.6 47.4 +0.2 Contracting Slower 4 OVERALL ECONOMY Growing Slower 63 Manufacturing Sector Contracting Faster 5 Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® data is seasonally adjusted for the New Orders, Production, Employment and Inventories indexes. *Number of months moving in current direction. COMMODITIES REPORTED UP/DOWN IN PRICE AND IN SHORT SUPPLY Commodities Up in PriceAluminum (20); Aluminum Products; Brass Products; Copper; Copper Products; Corrugated Boxes (5); Electrical Components (6); Electronic Components (6); Fabricated Metal Components; Freight; Polypropylene; Steel (6); Steel — Stainless (5); Steel Products (5); and Wire Products. Commodities Down in PriceCorn; Natural Gas; Ocean Freight; and Soybean Meal. Commodities in Short SupplyElectrical Components, Electronic Components (5); and Rare Earth Magnets. Note: The number of consecutive months the commodity is listed is indicated after each item. JULY 2025 MANUFACTURING INDEX SUMMARIES Manufacturing PMI® The U.S. manufacturing sector contracted in July for the fifth consecutive month after two months of expansion preceded by 26 months of contraction. 'The Manufacturing PMI® registered 48 percent, 1 percentage point lower compared to the 49 percent reported in June. Of the five subindexes that directly factor into the Manufacturing PMI®, only one (Production) is in expansion territory, down from two in June. The slowing of supplier deliveries in previous months reversed course, with a 4.9-percentage point index decrease indicating a drawdown of manufacturing inventories and easing port congestion. The Employment Index decreased and it remained with New Orders in contraction territory. None of the six biggest manufacturing industries registered growth in July,' says Spence. A reading above 50 percent indicates that the manufacturing sector is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally contracting. A Manufacturing PMI® above 42.3 percent, over a period of time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy. Therefore, the July Manufacturing PMI® indicates the overall economy grew for the 63rd straight month after contracting in April 2020. 'The past relationship between the Manufacturing PMI® and the overall economy indicates that the July reading (48 percent) corresponds to a change of plus-1.6 percent in real gross domestic product (GDP) on an annualized basis,' says Spence. THE LAST 12 MONTHS Month Manufacturing PMI® Month Manufacturing PMI® Jul 2025 48.0 Jan 2025 50.9 Jun 2025 49.0 Dec 2024 49.2 May 2025 48.5 Nov 2024 48.4 Apr 2025 48.7 Oct 2024 46.9 Mar 2025 49.0 Sep 2024 47.5 Feb 2025 50.3 Aug 2024 47.5 Average for 12 months – 48.7 High – 50.9 Low – 46.9 New OrdersISM®'s New Orders Index contracted in July for the sixth consecutive month after three consecutive months of expansion, registering 47.1 percent, an increase of 0.7 percentage point compared to June's figure of 46.4 percent. This reading is below the 12-month moving average (48.3 percent) for the New Orders Index, which hasn't indicated consistent growth since a 24-month streak of expansion ended in May 2022. 'Of the six largest manufacturing sectors, none reported increased new orders. Panelists noted continued weak demand, with a 1-to-1.4 ratio of positive comments to those expressing concern about near-term demand. Overall, new orders continue to slow amid tariff uncertainty; which party will pay tariff costs is still the prime issue in negotiations between buyers and sellers,' says Spence. A New Orders Index above 52.1 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Census Bureau's series on manufacturing orders (in constant 2000 dollars). The four manufacturing industries that reported growth in new orders in July are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Primary Metals; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing. The eight industries reporting a decline in new orders in June, in order, are: Paper Products; Wood Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Machinery; Chemical Products; and Computer & Electronic Products. Six industries reported no change in new orders in July. New Orders %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index Jul 2025 18.8 55.3 25.9 -7.1 47.1 Jun 2025 20.5 52.2 27.3 -6.8 46.4 May 2025 25.0 48.1 26.9 -1.9 47.6 Apr 2025 28.1 45.2 26.7 +1.4 47.2 ProductionThe Production Index continued in expansion territory for the second consecutive month in July, registering 51.4 percent, 1.1 percentage points higher than the June reading of 50.3 percent. Prior to the readings of expansion in January and February, the index was in contraction territory for eight consecutive months, with the previous reading above 50 percent in April 2024 (50.7 percent). Of the six largest manufacturing sectors, two (Petroleum & Coal Products; and Transportation Equipment) reported increased production. 'Production levels in July, while improved, remain fragile amid continuing softness in new orders. Panelists had a 1-to-1.2 ratio of positive to negative comments regarding output,' says Spence. An index above 52.1 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Federal Reserve Board's Industrial Production figures. The seven industries reporting growth in production during the month of July — in the following order — are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Textile Mills; Petroleum & Coal Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Transportation Equipment. The six industries reporting a decrease in production in July, in order, are: Paper Products; Machinery; Fabricated Metal Products; Primary Metals; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; and Chemical Products. Production %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index Jul 2025 20.1 60.7 19.2 +0.9 51.4 Jun 2025 20.7 60.6 18.7 +2.0 50.3 May 2025 19.1 56.3 24.6 -5.5 45.4 Apr 2025 19.8 56.0 24.2 -4.4 44.0 EmploymentISM®'s Employment Index registered 43.4 percent in July, 1.6 percentage points lower than June's reading of 45 percent. 'The index posted its sixth consecutive month of contraction after expanding in January, with seven straight months of contraction before that. Since May 2022, the Employment Index has contracted in 32 of 39 months. Of the six big manufacturing sectors, none reported expanded employment in July. For every comment on hiring, there were two on reducing head counts — a fairly wide ratio, historically speaking — reflecting companies' continuing focus on accelerating staff reductions due to uncertain near- to mid-term demand. Layoffs were the primary measure, an indication that staff shrinking continues to be urgent,' says Spence. An Employment Index above 50.3 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on manufacturing employment. Of the 18 manufacturing industries, three reported employment growth in July: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Plastics & Rubber Products. The 11 industries reporting a decrease in employment in July, in the following order, are: Textile Mills; Printing & Related Support Activities; Paper Products; Primary Metals; Fabricated Metal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Chemical Products; and Transportation Equipment. Employment %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index Jul 2025 12.6 62.4 25.0 -12.4 43.4 Jun 2025 10.4 72.1 17.5 -7.1 45.0 May 2025 14.1 68.2 17.7 -3.6 46.8 Apr 2025 13.1 70.7 16.2 -3.1 46.5 Supplier Deliveries†Delivery performance of suppliers to manufacturing organizations was faster in July after seven months of slowing, with the Supplier Deliveries Index registering 49.3 percent, a 4.9-percentage point decrease compared to the reading of 54.2 percent reported in June. Of the six big industries, two (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Computer & Electronic Products) reported slower supplier deliveries in July. 'The findings in July suggest that supply chain performance is improving as demand is slipping downward,' says Spence. A reading below 50 percent indicates faster deliveries, while a reading above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries. The nine manufacturing industries reporting slower supplier deliveries in July — in the following order — are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Furniture & Related Products; Paper Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Primary Metals; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Computer & Electronic Products; and Fabricated Metal Products. The four industries reporting faster supplier deliveries in July are: Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; and Machinery. Supplier Deliveries %Slower %Same %Faster Net Index Jul 2025 8.7 81.1 10.2 -1.5 49.3 Jun 2025 14.7 79.0 6.3 +8.4 54.2 May 2025 19.1 73.9 7.0 +12.1 56.1 Apr 2025 16.6 77.2 6.2 +10.4 55.2 InventoriesThe Inventories Index registered 48.9 percent in July, down 0.3 percentage point compared to the reading of 49.2 percent in June. 'Of the six big industries, only one (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products) expanded in July,' says Spence. An Inventories Index greater than 44.5 percent, over time, is generally consistent with expansion in the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) figures on overall manufacturing inventories (in chained 2000 dollars). Of 18 manufacturing industries, the 10 reporting higher inventories in July — listed in order — are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Textile Mills; Paper Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Primary Metals; Plastics & Rubber Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Fabricated Metal Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products. The five industries reporting lower inventories in July are: Wood Products; Chemical Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Transportation Equipment; and Machinery. Inventories %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index Jul 2025 15.2 67.2 17.6 -2.4 48.9 Jun 2025 15.6 64.9 19.5 -3.9 49.2 May 2025 15.6 63.2 21.2 -5.6 46.7 Apr 2025 20.8 59.2 20.0 +0.8 50.8 Customers' Inventories†ISM®'s Customers' Inventories Index registered a reading of 45.7 percent in July, a decrease of 1 percentage point compared to the reading of 46.7 percent in June. 'Customers' inventory levels in July continued to contract and took a step away from 'about right' territory,' says Spence. (For more information about the Customers' Inventories Index, see the 'Data and Method of Presentation' section below.) The three industries reporting customers' inventories as too high in July are: Wood Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Transportation Equipment. The 11 industries reporting customers' inventories as too low in July, in order, are: Textile Mills; Printing & Related Support Activities; Primary Metals; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Fabricated Metal Products; Paper Products; Furniture & Related Products; Chemical Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Machinery. Customers' Inventories % Reporting %Too High %About Right %TooLow Net Index Jul 2025 71 10.5 70.3 19.2 -8.7 45.7 Jun 2025 72 14.1 65.2 20.7 -6.6 46.7 May 2025 69 9.9 69.2 20.9 -11.0 44.5 Apr 2025 76 11.1 70.2 18.7 -7.6 46.2 Prices†The ISM® Prices Index registered 64.8 percent in July, decreasing 4.9 percentage points compared to the June reading of 69.7 percent, indicating raw materials prices increased for the 10th straight month (at a slower rate) after a decrease in September. The Prices Index has increased 9.9 percentage points over the past six months. In the last five months, the index reached its highest levels since June 2022, when it registered 78.5 percent. All of the six largest manufacturing industries — Machinery; Chemical Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; and Transportation Equipment, in that order — reported price increases in July. 'The Prices Index reading continues to be driven by increases in steel and aluminum prices that impact the entire value chain, as well as tariffs applied to many imported goods. Higher prices were reported by 35.4 percent of respondents in July, down substantially from 45.6 percent in June. The share of respondents reporting higher prices had consistently increased from November 2024 (12.2 percent) to April (49.2 percent), which was the highest level since June 2022 (65.2 percent),' says Spence. A Prices Index above 52.8 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Producer Price Index for Intermediate Materials. In July, the 16 industries that reported paying increased prices for raw materials, in order, are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Textile Mills; Furniture & Related Products; Primary Metals; Plastics & Rubber Products; Machinery; Wood Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Fabricated Metal Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Chemical Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Paper Products; and Transportation Equipment. No industries reported paying decreased prices for raw materials in July. Prices %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index Jul 2025 35.4 58.8 5.8 +29.6 64.8 Jun 2025 45.6 48.1 6.3 +39.3 69.7 May 2025 45.1 48.5 6.4 +38.7 69.4 Apr 2025 49.2 41.1 9.7 +39.5 69.8 Backlog of Orders†ISM®'s Backlog of Orders Index registered 46.8 percent, an increase of 2.5 percentage points compared to the June reading of 44.3 percent, indicating order backlogs contracted for the 34th consecutive month after a 27-month period of expansion that ended September 2022. Of the six largest manufacturing industries, only Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products reported expansion in order backlogs in July. 'Continued contraction in both the New Orders and Backlog of Orders indexes means that trade issues and other geopolitical tensions are still at play. Significant improvement shouldn't be expected until those issues begin to recede,' says Spence. Of the 18 manufacturing industries, the three that reported growth in order backlogs in July are: Furniture & Related Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components. The eight industries reporting lower backlogs in July — in the following order — are: Paper Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Wood Products; Machinery; Computer & Electronic Products; Fabricated Metal Products; and Chemical Products. Seven industries reported no change in order backlogs. Backlog of Orders % Reporting %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index Jul 2025 89 18.3 56.9 24.8 -6.5 46.8 Jun 2025 91 14.9 58.7 26.4 -11.5 44.3 May 2025 92 15.8 62.6 21.6 -5.8 47.1 Apr 2025 92 15.1 57.2 27.7 -12.6 43.7 New Export Orders†ISM®'s New Export Orders Index contracted in July, registering 46.1 percent, down 0.2 percentage point from June's reading of 46.3 percent. 'Export orders contracted for the fifth consecutive month after growing in January and February. This brief period of expansion followed an 'unchanged' status (a reading of 50 percent), preceded by six straight months of contraction. The continued contraction of new export orders could be indicative of ongoing trade friction and dampened demand,' says Spence. Of the 18 manufacturing industries, the only industry reporting growth in new export orders in July is Furniture & Related Products. The eight industries reporting a decrease in new export orders in July — in the following order — are: Paper Products; Primary Metals; Plastics & Rubber Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Chemical Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Machinery. Eight industries reported no change in new export orders in July. New Export Orders % Reporting %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index Jul 2025 71 7.5 77.2 15.3 -7.8 46.1 Jun 2025 75 12.1 68.3 19.6 -7.5 46.3 May 2025 73 11.8 56.5 31.7 -19.9 40.1 Apr 2025 74 8.7 68.8 22.5 -13.8 43.1 Imports†ISM®'s Imports Index remained in contraction for the fourth month in July after expanding for three straight months. The July figure of 47.6 percent is an increase of 0.2 percentage point over the reading of 47.4 percent in June. 'Imports are contracting, though at a slower rate. The need to maintain import levels from previous months is lower, due in large part to slackening demand and tariff pricing,' says Spence. The five industries reporting an increase in import volumes in July are: Textile Mills; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Fabricated Metal Products. The six industries that reported lower volumes of imports in July — in the following order — are: Wood Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Paper Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Chemical Products; and Machinery. Seven industries reported no change in imports in July. Imports % Reporting %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index Jul 2025 86 13.3 68.5 18.2 -4.9 47.6 Jun 2025 86 15.3 64.2 20.5 -5.2 47.4 May 2025 85 13.2 53.3 33.5 -20.3 39.9 Apr 2025 82 15.4 63.4 21.2 -5.8 47.1 †The Supplier Deliveries, Customers' Inventories, Prices, Backlog of Orders, New Export Orders, and Imports indexes do not meet the accepted criteria for seasonal adjustments. Buying PolicyThe average commitment lead time for Capital Expenditures in July was 173 days, a decrease of two days compared to June. The average lead time in July for Production Materials was 85 days, the same as in June. The average lead time for Maintenance, Repair and Operating (MRO) Supplies was 44 days, a decrease of four days compared to June. Percent Reporting Capital Expenditures Hand-to- Mouth 30 Days 60 Days 90 Days 6 Months 1 Year+ Average Days Jul 2025 16 4 10 15 26 29 173 Jun 2025 17 3 9 13 29 29 175 May 2025 18 2 9 14 30 27 171 Apr 2025 16 4 11 14 28 27 169 Percent Reporting Production Materials Hand-to- Mouth 30 Days 60 Days 90 Days 6 Months 1 Year+ Average Days Jul 2025 9 28 22 26 8 7 85 Jun 2025 9 22 28 26 9 6 85 May 2025 8 24 30 24 9 5 81 Apr 2025 10 24 25 26 9 6 84 Percent Reporting MRO Supplies Hand-to- Mouth 30 Days 60 Days 90 Days 6 Months 1 Year+ Average Days Jul 2025 31 35 17 12 4 1 44 Jun 2025 32 33 17 11 5 2 48 May 2025 31 35 16 10 7 1 47 Apr 2025 31 33 18 12 5 1 46 About This ReportDO NOT CONFUSE THIS NATIONAL REPORT with the various regional purchasing reports released across the country. The national report's information reflects the entire U.S., while the regional reports contain primarily regional data from their local vicinities. Also, the information in the regional reports is not used in calculating the results of the national report. The information compiled in this report is for the month of July 2025. The data presented herein is obtained from a survey of manufacturing supply executives based on information they have collected within their respective organizations. ISM® makes no representation, other than that stated within this release, regarding the individual company data collection procedures. The data should be compared to all other economic data sources when used in decision-making. Data and Method of PresentationThe Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® is based on data compiled from purchasing and supply executives nationwide. The composition of the Manufacturing Business Survey Committee is stratified according to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) and each of the following NAICS-based industries' contribution to gross domestic product (GDP): Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Textile Mills; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Wood Products; Paper Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Petroleum & Coal Products; Chemical Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Primary Metals; Fabricated Metal Products; Machinery; Computer & Electronic Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Transportation Equipment; Furniture & Related Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing (products such as medical equipment and supplies, jewelry, sporting goods, toys and office supplies). The data is weighted based on each industry's contribution to GDP. According to BEA estimates (the average of the fourth quarter 2023 GDP estimate and the GDP estimates for first, second, and third quarter 2024, as released on December 19, 2024), the six largest manufacturing industries are: Chemical Products; Transportation Equipment; Computer & Electronic Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Machinery; and Petroleum & Coal Products. Survey responses reflect the change, if any, in the current month compared to the previous month. For nine indicators (New Orders, Backlog of Orders, New Export Orders, Imports, Production, Supplier Deliveries, Inventories, Employment, and Prices), this report shows the percentage reporting each response, the net difference between the number of responses in the positive economic direction (higher, better and slower for Supplier Deliveries) and the negative economic direction (lower, worse and faster for Supplier Deliveries), and the diffusion index. For Customers' Inventories, respondents report their assessment of their customers' stock levels of respondent companies' products this month (rather than last month): too high, about right, and too low. Responses are raw data and are never changed. The diffusion index includes the percent of positive responses plus one-half of those responding the same (considered positive). The resulting single index number for those meeting the criteria for seasonal adjustments (Manufacturing PMI®, New Orders, Production, Employment and Inventories) is then seasonally adjusted to allow for the effects of repetitive intra-year variations resulting primarily from normal differences in weather conditions, various institutional arrangements, and differences attributable to non-moveable holidays. All seasonal adjustment factors are subject annually to relatively minor changes when conditions warrant them. The Manufacturing PMI® is a composite index based on the diffusion indexes of five of the indexes with equal weights: New Orders (seasonally adjusted), Production (seasonally adjusted), Employment (seasonally adjusted), Supplier Deliveries, and Inventories (seasonally adjusted). Diffusion indexes have the properties of leading indicators and are convenient summary measures showing the prevailing direction of change and the scope of change. A Manufacturing PMI® reading above 50 percent indicates that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally declining. A Manufacturing PMI® above 42.3 percent, over a period of time, indicates that the overall economy, or gross domestic product (GDP), is generally expanding; below 42.3 percent, it is generally declining. The distance from 50 percent or 42.3 percent is indicative of the extent of the expansion or decline. With some of the indicators within this report, ISM® has indicated the departure point between expansion and decline of comparable government series, as determined by regression analysis. For the Customers' Inventories Index, numerically, a reading: above 50 percent is 'too high,' equal to 50 percent is 'about right,' and below 50 percent is 'too low.' However, in practice and in the context of other data, customers' inventories may be considered to be 'about right' if the diffusion index is between 52 percent (the high side of about right) and 48 percent (the low side of about right). The Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® survey is sent out to Manufacturing Business Survey Committee respondents the first part of each month. Respondents are asked to report on information for the current month for U.S. operations only. ISM® receives survey responses throughout most of any given month, with the majority of respondents generally waiting until late in the month to submit responses to give the most accurate picture of current business activity. ISM® then compiles the report for release on the first business day of the following month. The industries reporting growth, as indicated in the Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® monthly report, are listed in the order of most growth to least growth. For the industries reporting contraction or decreases, those are listed in the order of the highest level of contraction/decrease to the least level of contraction/decrease. Responses to Buying Policy reflect the percent reporting the current month's lead time, the approximate weighted number of days ahead for which commitments are made for Capital Expenditures; Production Materials; and Maintenance, Repair and Operating (MRO) Supplies, expressed as hand-to-mouth (five days), 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, six months (180 days), a year or more (360 days), and the weighted average number of days. These responses are raw data, never revised, and not seasonally adjusted. ISM ROB ContentThe Institute for Supply Management® ('ISM') Report On Business® (both Manufacturing and Non-Manufacturing) ('ISM ROB') contains information, text, files, images, video, sounds, musical works, works of authorship, applications, and any other materials or content (collectively, 'Content') of ISM ('ISM ROB Content'). ISM ROB Content is protected by copyright, trademark, trade secret, and other laws, and as between you and ISM, ISM owns and retains all rights in the ISM ROB Content. 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This prohibition applies regardless of whether the derivative works or materials are sold, bartered, or given away. You shall not either directly or through the use of any device, software, internet site, web-based service, or other means remove, alter, bypass, avoid, interfere with, or circumvent any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary notices marked on the Content or any digital rights management mechanism, device, or other content protection or access control measure associated with the Content including geo-filtering mechanisms. Without prior written authorization from ISM, you shall not build a business utilizing the Content, whether or not for profit. You shall not create, recreate, distribute, incorporate in other work, or advertise an index of any portion of the Content unless you receive prior written authorization from ISM. Requests for permission to reproduce or distribute ISM ROB Content can be made by contacting in writing at: ISM Research, Institute for Supply Management, 309 West Elliot Road, Suite 113, Tempe, Arizona 85284-1556, or by emailing kcahill@ Subject: Content Request. ISM shall not have any liability, duty, or obligation for or relating to the ISM ROB Content or other information contained herein, any errors, inaccuracies, omissions or delays in providing any ISM ROB Content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. In no event shall ISM be liable for any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of the use of the ISM ROB. Report On Business®, PMI®, Manufacturing PMI®, Services PMI®, Hospital PMI®, and NMI® are registered trademarks of Institute for Supply Management®. Institute for Supply Management® and ISM® are registered trademarks of Institute for Supply Management, Inc. About Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) is the first and leading not-for-profit professional supply management organization worldwide. Its community of more than 50,000 in more than 100 countries around the world manage about US$1 trillion in corporate and government supply chain procurement annually. Founded in 1915 by practitioners, ISM is committed to advancing the strategy and practice of integrated, end-to-end supply chain management through leading edge data-driven resources, community, and education to empower individuals, create organizational value and to drive competitive advantage. ISM's vision is to foster a prosperous, sustainable world. ISM empowers and leads the profession through the ISM® Report On Business®, its highly regarded certification and training programs, corporate services, events and assessments. The ISM® Report On Business®, Manufacturing, Services, and Hospital are three of the most reliable economic indicators available, providing guidance to supply management professionals, economists, analysts, and government and business leaders. For more information, please visit: The full text version of the Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® is posted on ISM®'s website at on the first business day* of every month after 10:00 a.m. ET. The one exception is in January when the report is released on the second business day of the month. The next Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® featuring August 2025 data will be released at 10:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. *Unless the New York Stock Exchange is closed. Contact: Kristina Cahill Report On Business® Analyst ISM®, ROB/Research Manager Tempe, Arizona +1 480.455.5910 Email: kcahill@
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
This robot uses Japanese tradition and AI for sashimi that lasts longer and is more humane
A Los Angeles-area startup is using artificial intelligence and robotics in an unlikely way: making sashimi and other fish dishes taste better, last longer and more humane. El Segundo, California-based Shinkei Systems wants to bring a traditional Japanese method of handling fish to fine dining in America, using technology to replace the labour-intensive process historically handled by practitioners on board ships. Investors have just bet millions that it will succeed. The company's AI-driven robot – called Poseidon – has been designed to do a traditional form of fish handling called ikejime in Japanese. It is a method of killing fish that enthusiasts say enhances flavour, texture and shelf life. Although fish processed in this way is found in some of the best restaurants in Japan, it hasn't been promoted in the US because it is generally too expensive. Automating the process will make it more readily available to Americans, said Saif Khawaja, the company's chief executive. "My end goal is that you're walking into your local grocery store and can buy fish that lasts three times as long, tastes better and is handled humanely," he said. The company raised US$22mil (RM 94.10mil) in a funding round last month, co-led by Founders Fund and Interlagos, bringing total funding to US$30mil (RM 128.32mil) since its inception. It has four Poseidons working on ships in the Pacific and Atlantic and hopes to have 10 more working in the coming year. The ikejime process involves taking live fish that has just been caught and quickly putting them out of their misery by killing them with a spike through the brain and cutting their gills. This stops the stress hormone and lactic acid buildup that can hurt flavor and texture when fish are left to asphyxiate. Although traditional practitioners sometimes add a step in which the spinal cord is destroyed, Poseidon just does the first steps of the ikejime technique. The method has remained largely artisanal even in Japan, where only some fishermen will make the effort to process batches of fish in this way to sell to specific sushi chefs who are obsessed with having the highest-quality ingredients. Even in Japan, the method "is still too labour-intensive to replicate at a high speed without damaging the fish," Khawaja said, adding that, "It's impractical and unsustainable for fishermen to adopt methods that require significant hands-on work," in the US. Shinkei says it also has a higher calling than just better-tasting fish. Khawaja said one of the motivations for developing the technology was to try to find a kinder, gentler way to kill fish than letting them die gasping for air. During childhood fishing trips with his father in the Red Sea, he remembers it being "very hard to watch" fish suffocating after they were caught. Poseidon is roughly refrigerator-sized and sits on fishing boat decks. — Courtesy Shinkei Systems/TNS While he was in graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania, Khawaja was moved by an essay that argued that fish suffer inhumane deaths because they cannot vocalise pain. He even once considered developing sensors to make fish's pain audible. Shinkei provides Poseidon machines to fishermen, who then sell fish processed through the machines back to Shinkei at a premium. Shinkei in turn sells the fish to restaurants and other retailers under its fish company Seremoni. Poseidon is roughly refrigerator-sized and sits on fishing boat decks. It processes fish within seconds of being caught. The fish is fed through an opening in the machine and into a small vinyl cavity. The machine then uses AI to identify what kind of fish it is and where exactly its brain and gills are. Fish emerge with a hole in the head and incisions near the gills before being placed in an ice slurry for blood drainage. Quickly killing the fish, bleeding it and chilling it without freezing leads to fish that is noticeably better, Khawaja said. "There's going to be a flavour profile difference and there's going to be texture profile difference," he said. The company chose Los Angeles for its headquarters and production because it has the right mix of potential employees as well as customers. It has the mechanical engineering talent as well as a major fishing fleet and lots of high-end restaurants. "The best mechanical engineering talent in the world, in my opinion, is in Southern California," said Seremoni co-founder Reed Ginsberg. The city is also a major health and consumer products hub as well as a trend setter for cutting-edge food fads. Chef Michael Cimarusti, co-owner of the Michelin starred Providence restaurant in Los Angeles, says he tries to buy local ikejime fish when he can because it preserves the quality and color. The fish preserved using ikejime look as if they "were just pulled from the water minutes ago," he said in an interview posted on YouTube by the American Fishing Tackle Co. Shinkei currently processes thousands of pounds weekly across operations in Washington, Central California and Massachusetts, with expansion to Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico planned this year. After feedback from fishermen that the bots took up too much deck space, the company developed "Block 2" robots that have roughly half the footprint while processing fish twice as fast. Currently, black cod and black sea bass processed through Poseidon are sold under Shinkei's brand Seremoni at retailers such as Happier Grocery and served at upscale restaurants including Atomix and Sushi Zo. This summer, the company plans to add salmon and red snapper to its offerings. – Los Angeles Times/Tribune News Service
The Sun
12 hours ago
- The Sun
Bog Apple: NYC discovers stand-alone toilet pods
NEW YORK: Faced with closed restrooms, vandalized facilities and lavatory deserts, New Yorkers and visitors to the city alike confront a host of hurdles to relieve themselves when out and about. In its latest efforts to combat this problem, the Big Apple has turned to a Portland-based company that designs modular public conveniences it claims are city-proof. The products, dubbed 'Portland Loos,' are the brainchild of Madden Fabrication and have garnered something of a cult following around the versatile, kiosk-like facilities which the company says are far cheaper than traditional toilet buildings. Such public toilet pods have already been installed in 250 locations throughout the United States. New York has pledged to build 49 new public bathrooms by 2029 to combat the lack of toilets across the five boroughs. Currently, there are approximately 1,100 public conveniences for the megacity's 8.4 million people, according to official estimates. - 'Simple but durable' - The city will spend $150 million on building new restrooms and renovating 36 existing sites. At the $200,000 unit installed in the Bronx's Joyce Kilmer park, two blocks from Yankee Stadium baseball park, bystanders eyed the new fixture with interest. One man accidentally activated the hand dryer, part of a sink fitting located on the outside of the booth. A spokesman for the company described the design as 'simple but durable,' with the basin placed outside in order to keep people moving and avoid a 'hotel effect.' 'Hell yeah, we haven't had a bathroom in this area in forever,' said lifelong Bronx resident Carlos Lopez, describing discrepancies in public restroom access between lower-income and wealthier neighborhoods. For the five trial units ordered, New York insisted on a higher grade of stainless steel and other modifications to meet strict planning rules. Street photographer Elijah Dominique, who lives near the park, said public bathrooms were especially important for unhoused people. 'We've got a lot of homeless people in this area,' Dominique said. 'Those are the people who really need these bathrooms. It's good for them -- and for us too so that we're not stepping in (waste) on the sidewalks. Nobody wants that.' - Reuters
