Purchasing agents note strong manufacturing trends generally. (coatings industry)

Kansas City - News just after the turn of the calendar from the National Association of Purchasing Managers was good. It seems that manufacturing was strong toward the end of the old year. The organization has been surveying its members for years and its trend lines seem to be well thought of.

Jumpstarting the new year, calls around the industry brought positive responses to how people are doing and will do in 1997. The APJ annual survey of industry management will be out soon for comment and a look at what is expected and the results will be reported later this winter.

Dow Plastics, a business group of The Dow Chemical Co., has announced that it will expand its …