Growth slowed for distributors and manufacturers during the month of November, according to the December Economic Indicator Report from the Industrial Supply Association. The ISA Distributor Index decreased from 62.5 in October to 54.2 in November, while the Manufacturer Index decreased from 66.8 to 54.5.

“This month’s report showed slower growth for ISA members as the year draws to a close,” said Bryon Shafer, general manager of ASG Industrial and chair of ISA’s strategic information committee. “These results mirror the slowdown reported by the ISM Purchasing Manager’s Index, which dropped below 50 percent for the first time in 36 months.”

For each index, a reading above 50 percent indicates expansion, while a reading below 50 percent indicates contraction. The Indexes have been above 50 percent since December 2012.