MILWAUKEE (WTAQ) - The manufacturing economy continues to be on the mend in southeast Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

That’s according to a monthly index from Marquette University and corporate purchasing members of the Institute for Supply Management.

The overall index of the factory business climate was 56.4 this month, up from 51.3 in January. The figure has been on the rise for three straight months.

Anything over 50 indicates growth. Anything below 50 shows a decline.

The report said that factory orders are on the rise. Some shops have had issues with capacity, and they face higher costs for materials.