Purchasing agents see economic growth.

According to a report from the nation’s purchasing managers, the economy showed improvement in almost all indicators during March. Production was higher; new orders increased, and employment expanded for the first time since August, 1984, the report said. “The economy ended the first quarter with a healthy, if not substantial, improvement,” said Robert J. Bretz, chairman of the business survey committee of the National Assn. of Purchasing Management. “The sharp rise in the growth of new orders assures a good beginning to the second quarter.”