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U.S. manufacturing activity fell to a two-year low in July, but continued to show expansion for the 24th consecutive month, the Institute for Supply Management said Monday.

Shortages of components for new heavy-duty trucks are growing, leading vehicle manufacturers to cut back their sales forecasts as their backlog of truck orders continues to mount, executives said.

Three of the world’s largest heavy-duty truck makers reported significant increases in profits and revenue for the three months ended June 30, with North American results playing a large role in all cases.

Manufacturing activity in the Chicago area fell in July, the Institute for Supply Management-Chicago said Friday.

Manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia region increased in July, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia said Thursday.

Truck manufacturers received more than 20,000 orders for new Class 8 vehicles in June in North America, the eighth consecutive month above that level and 33% higher than June 2010, two market research firms reported.

Manufacturing activity in the Chicago area rose in June, the Institute for Supply Management-Chicago said Thursday.

Manufacturing activity in the Chicago area fell in May, the Institute for Supply Management-Chicago said Tuesday.  

Manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia region slowed in May, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia said Thursday.

Industrial production was unchanged in April, reflecting a drop in automobile output, the Federal Reserve said Tuesday.