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Supply Chain by the Numbers

March 5, 2026

Supply Chain by the Numbers for March 5, 2026

US PMI Shows Manufacturing Expansion again in February. Tucker Carlson’s Cargo Ripped Off. Oil Up but not as Much as Expected. Record Number Exhibitors for MODEX 2026


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52.4
That was the level of the US Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for February, as was released Monday by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), and a 0.2-percentage point decrease compared to the reading of 52.6 in January. But it did put the Index above the key 50 mark that separates US manufacturing expansion from contraction for the second straight month - but for only the third time in 40 months. The other PMI numbers we track were mostly positive for the month. For example, the New Orders Index expanded for the second straight month after four straight readings in contraction, registering 55.8, down 1.3 percentage points compared to January’s figure of 57.1, but still above the key 50 mark, in good news for future US manufacturing activity. And the February reading of the Production Index (53.5) was 2.4 percentage points lower than January’s reading of 55.9 but again above 50, meaning production expanded but at a slower rate.

$76.11

That was the price of a barrel of oil (West Texas Crude) at the end of the day Wednesday, up from $67.02 on February 27 and from $55.99 on January 7. The price jump of course is the result of the US war on Iran. But some pundits had predicted oil would quickly jump to $100 dollars or more, on the US attack, which would have a big impact on the global and US economies. But the price hikes could continue. And the Iran-backed Houthi rebels have retuned as a threat to ocean shipping, lobbing missiles at cargo or tanker ships from South Yemen, delaying the return of ships to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal that was just about to start again after two years of disruption.



378,000
That amazingly is about how many cans of ALP Drifters nicotine pouches that were stolen in another cargo theft operation. Interesting twist to the crime: the nicotine pouches stolen were owned by a company co-founded by news maven Tucker Carlson, with estimated value of the heist said to be in millions of dollars. The cargo was picked up from a Southern California logistics facility by a motor carrier that presented what appeared to be legitimate operating credentials. Initial tracking data showed the truck heading toward Kentucky before communication was lost. ALP is launching a national manhunt, offering a $100,000 reward for credible information that leads to the recovery of the stolen shipment or the conviction of those responsible.



1200+
That is the number of exhibitors that will be hawking their solutions at the upcoming MODEX 2026radeshow from MHI April 13—16 at the World Congress Center in Atlanta. That is a record number of exhibitors, by the way. Their booths will be spread over some 600,000 square feet of show floor, showcasing automation, manufacturing, and transportation solutions. The event will also include 200+ educational sessions and attract over 50,000 attendees. MODEX is held by MHI every other year (even years), trading off with MHI’s ProMat show in Chicago in the odd years.

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