The Made in America movement appears to be picking up momentum but the apparel industry is not reaping the rewards.US manufacturing in March has shown a slight improvement.

While generally improving global economic conditions have helped to counteract some of the strong dollar’s negative impact on exports, production volumes are low and backlogs of work have fallen again.

Sustained weakness across the US manufacturing sector means that overall growth through the first quarter has slowed to its lowest since late 2012. Subdued client spending patterns within the energy sector, ongoing pressure from the strong dollar and general uncertainty about the business outlook are cited as factors weighing on new order flows in March.

New orders and increased production means the US manufacturing sector registered overall growth in March for the first time since last August. While textile mills reported new orders rose last month, the same could not be said for the apparel, leather and allied products industry which recorded a drop, in addition to declining levels of production and employment.

The current period of decline has been extended to four out of the past five months. Signs of recovery are faint but there has been quiet and steady progress on the economic front.