Growth in Asia and emerging markets is helping sustain orders for U.S.-produced goods while demand from Europe stumbles. Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Steelcase Inc., which designs and makes products for offices, is seeing room for expansion in India and China, while sales are uneven in Europe.
"We saw revenue growth in some countries" in Europe in the most recent quarter, "while others were down," James Hackett, president and chief executive officer of the Grand Rapids-based company, said on a Dec. 22 conference call. "Our commitment to Asia continues to pay off."
September and October were the best months for U.S. exports on record, according to figures from the Commerce Department.