Industry manufacturing activity levels were mixed in March, according to data released by the U.S. government.
The U.S. apparel industrial production index decreased in March compared to February but remains level compared to a year ago, signalling that the spike in domestic production might have been a temporary response to cost surges in the past year. Manufacturers responded by trying to cut and sew closer to home in order to respond more quickly to changes in demand. However, it is too soon to tell whether this levelling off of domestic production activity is a trend or not.
The textile production index rose slightly compared to last month and a year ago. 
Apparel and textile production employment reamined stable in March. However, on a 12-month smoothed basis, apparel production employment fell by 1.6%, versus a 2.3% drop in textiles.
| Apparel | Mar-12 | Feb-12 | Mar-11 |
| Production Index | 61.9 | 62.9 | 61.8 |
| Capacity Index | 88.1 | 88.2 | 90.2 |
| Capacity Utilization | 71.4 | 71.8 | 68.5 |
| Textile | |||
| Production Index | 78.4 | 78.3 | 74.7 |
| Capacity Index | 111.2 | 111.4 | 113.8 |
| Capacity Utilization | 70.4 | 69.7 | 65.7 |
| Production Employment (000) | |||
| Textile | 234 | 234 | 239 |
| Apparel | 150 | 150 | 152 |
