Inflation continues to brew in America’s industrial heartland as growing materials shortages cascade into record-long delivery times and leave manufacturers struggling to keep pace with an energized economy.

As producers attempt to navigate supply-chain pitfalls for the commodities necessary to produce their wares, wage growth is beginning to percolate. A recent Labor Department report showed the largest quarterly increase in worker pay at companies since 2003.

This combination of higher labor and materials costs will probably lead to a bigger pickup in consumer inflation at a time when monetary and fiscal policies are conducive to faster economic growth. Colgate-Palmolive, food and beverage maker Mondelez and Kimberly-Clark are among a growing number of companies raising prices.

Bloomberg’s Reade Pickert and Vince Golle paint the inflationary picture with charts in their story today. These examples in particular highlight the latest developments in materials shortages and delivery times:

Delays Mount

U.S. factory wait times for materials and supplies are longest in records to 1987

Source: Institute for Supply Management

Note: MRO supplies are for maintenance, repair and operations

Longer lead times are one of the clearest indications of the supply-chain challenges that producers face. Wait times of factories for production materials grew to 79 days in April, the longest in records dating back to 1987, according to the latest Institute for Supply Management data. The average delivery time of supplies for maintenance, repair and operations was also the longest in ISM data.

Longer List

Shortfall significant for number of materials, restraining output at U.S. manufacturers

Source: Institute for Supply Management

The ISM’s monthly reports also provide a clear indication of a growing number of commodities in short supply. In November, purchasing managers listed just 8 materials companies were struggling to get their hands on. Five months later and it’s expanded to 24.

While some things like personal protective equipment and gloves have been scarce for months, others like aluminum, wood pallets and rubber-based products are new additions to the list.

Reade Pickert and Vince Golle in Washington

Charted Territory

Trade Boost

China’s exports and imports grew strongly in April

Source: General Administration of Customs

China’s exports rose more than expected in April, suggesting its trade out-performance could last longer than expected this year, fueled by global fiscal stimulus. Exports grew 32.3% in dollar terms in April from a year earlier, the customs administration said Friday, exceeding the 24.1% median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists. Imports climbed 43.1%, a sign of strong domestic demand and soaring commodity prices, resulting in a bigger-than-expected trade surplus of $42.85 billion for the month.

LINK TO ARTICLE HERE