Report Authors: Julie Weeks, American Express Research Advisor, and Nalanda Matia, Lead Economist, Econometrics Solutions at Dun & Bradstreet

Summary Provided by Ryan Walker

Manufacturing represents 18% of middle market companies ($10 million-$1 billion in annual revenues) and 3% of all commercially-active firms, according to the latest Middle Market Power Index from American Express and Dun & Bradstreet. Although a small share of the total number of firms, manufacturing has grown 159% in revenue and 127% in employment from 2011 to 2016.

Past reports have found that the middle market is leading the national economy in overall growth, revenue, and employment. This newest report in the series takes a deeper dive into the key industries that make up the middle market: manufacturing, wholesale trade, business services, and retail. It looks at how the products and services within these industries have changed over time, and how they compare to other commercially-active firms.

The below table highlights how the manufacturing industry compares with all commercially-active firms as a whole:

The report looks at not only the middle market, which is such an important area of focus because it’s where 53% of all net new jobs have been created in the last five years, but how changes in this area compare to businesses of all size.

Manufacturing is not only alive in the US, but is still a strong leader in the economy. As overall growth has stagnated, manufacturing has surged (within the middle market).

Read the full report here: http://about.americanexpress.com/news/docs/2016x/2016-09-06-Amex-DNB-MMPI.PDF