The most interesting story from the Saint Louis Beige Book report would concern the
automobile industry. There appears to be an enormous degree of vertical integration in the Saint Louis region on this one industry, with lots of changes happening right now. The report says manufacturing for automobiles, automobile parts, and even railroad rolling stock all plan to expand operations and therefore increase hiring. This runs contrary to a decades long trend of layoffs and outsourcing in these industries. It is possible the railroad industry would not be germane.
Additionally the “primary metals” is one of many industries going in the opposite direction.
Thecensus defines primary metal process: Industries in the Primary Metal Manufacturing subsectorsmelt and/or refine ferrous and nonferrous metals from ore, pig or scrap, using electrometallurgical and other process metallurgical techniques. Establishments in this subsector also manufacture metal alloys and superalloys by introducing other chemical elements to pure metals. The output of smelting and refining, usually in ingot form, is used in rolling, drawing, and extruding operations to make sheet, strip, bar, rod, or wire, and in molten form to make castings and other basic metal products.”
This does not clarify the definition much for me, but it seems those products listed at the end of the definition are used in auto and auto-part manufacturing. The easiest way to know would be to ask the auto-manufacturers.
Lastly, the report says that auto dealerships have seen a high level of sales this year, but do not expect strong sales in the final quarter of the year.
A story in this region could begin with the primary metal manufacturers (if their products are the right ones) continue to the auto parts manufacturers, then to the auto manufacturers and finish in the dealership offices.
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