world-economy

US Manufacturing Surges to Four-Year High, Bolstering Freight Demand

US manufacturing expanded in July at its fastest pace since 2022, driven by robust customer demand and accelerating production. Factories added workers as new orders climbed and output strengthened across the sector.

The expansion follows sustained manufacturing growth through June, signaling continued momentum in industrial activity. Southeast Asian factories similarly rebounded in July, with new orders and production accelerating at their fastest pace since the Middle East conflict began, offsetting weakness in China where factory activity decelerated.

The manufacturing rebound is expected to support freight demand across trucking and air cargo networks. Carriers have expanded fleet capacity to meet strong customer demand, adding aircraft to operations.