1.   A pronounced shift towards Decentralized smaller plants, and towards non manufacturing activities in the economy, has already occurred.

2.   Costs have also been the focus of attention and all manufacturing activities have been consolidated in newly refurbished premises in Birmingham.

3.   As some departments within Glenpatrick works move onto shift working, there have been changes in the manufacturing activities resulting in the appointment of three shift managers.

4.   Also Thursday, the Labor Department reports on weekly jobless claims, while the National Association of Purchasing Management releases its index of manufacturing activity.

5.   Also tomorrow the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia will release its index of regional manufacturing activity.

6.   Also, factory production increased in the Midwest and in the New York metropolitan area, according to two monthly indexes of regional manufacturing activity.

7.   Also weighing on prices was a report showing that U.S. manufacturing activity grew more slowly in August than in July.

8.   American manufacturing activity fell more than expected in May, the first contraction in almost two years and the latest sign the economy is slowing.

9.   American manufacturing activity fell more than expected in May, the first drop in almost two years in the latest sign that the economy is slowing.

10.   Analysts believe the drop in manufacturing activity and other recent economic reports confirm that the policy is working.