While the bitter reckoning of the winter months has recently displayed a scattering of warm spots indicating a better spring ahead, mid-January economic improvements also are peeking through the heavy clouds overhanging the late 2012 economy.

Recent dialogue with scores of manufacturers, distributors, mechanical contractors and retailers detects a note of optimism as the year unfolds.

With the traumatic impact of outsourcing jobs and production, especially by America’s manufacturing giants, it may come as a surprise to many that the United States is still the world’s No.1 generator of manufactured goods production at $1.8 trillion annually.