by Montana Scott

Created on: June 04, 2009   Last Updated: June 11, 2009

With the May results in, the ISM manufacturing index is approaching a year and a half without showing any sustainable growth. As this trend continues it is providing ample opportunity for investors to get in on the ground level and capitalize on the amazing growth as the recession lifts.

The average investor may not know where to begin, or even what exactly falls into the manufacturing industry. The following list provides brief examples of many of the companies that occupy this territory.

Clothing and accessories: The major player in this category is Nike (NKE). Nike has long been held as the top athletic sportswear. It is worn by many pro athletes such as professional golf champion, Tiger Woods and former basketball great, Michael Jordan. Nike has continued its commitment to quality, and when consumer spending picks up pace, Nike will perform like a champ.

Building Supplies: Although the lead into the recession was bad mortgages, the next logical impact was on the building industry. Steel has become a mainstay in commercial building in America. As credit loosens and companies are able to secure loans and expand, US Steel (X) and Steel Dynamics (STLD) are poised for tremendous growth as their product again sees the demand it's used to.

Oil: Oil had its time a year ago when prices skyrocketed. Unfortunately for those companies specializing in oil as the recession rolled in, demand rolled out. But as we've seen in the past several months oil is back on the rise and OPEC is hoping for $90 barrels within months. Companies such as the oil giant Exxon Mobile (XOM), Marathon Oil (MRO) and Chevron (CVX) have the expertise to take off with the explosion.

Technology: Although tech stocks will never be what they were before the dot com bubble burst, they are still an integral part of any portfolio. These companies are leading the way to the future, and without them we would still be stuck in a world where the typewriter and the telegraph were sophisticated machines. Competitors Apple (AAPL) and Microsoft (MSFT) have proven themselves worthy of the battle and continually come out with the products that we need to keep up to speed with our high-speed lives. But let's not forget Cisco (CSCO) who paved the way with modem technology.

Simply searching around will lead to many, many more stocks from manufacturing companies. This list is to give a snapshot of what there is, but is by no means exhaustive. Also included in the list should be food production, companies such as Kellogg Company (K) play an integral role to balance the manufacturing index.

Although nothing is guaranteed, many of the manufacturing stocks will take off when the recession lifts and cash begins to flow once more. These companies listed above are a good starting block to building the manufacturing portion of your portfolio, and can provide a healthy base to build upon.

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