The Beige Book reveals a return to just-in-time production : The Indicator from Planet Money A Fed vice president gets a new pair of shoes. Does that mean supply chains are fixed?

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The Beigie Awards: All about inventory

The Beigie Awards: All about inventory

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George Frey/Getty Images
OREM, UT - NOVEMBER 24: An employee check computer inventory that is part of a &quot;Black Friday&quot; sale at a Best Buy on November 24, 2016 in Orem, Utah. Retailers kicked off the unofficial start of the holiday season with sales that in many instances began on the Thanksgiving holiday. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)
George Frey/Getty Images

Eight times a year, the 12 regional Federal Reserve banks come together to share anecdotes from businesses and other industry experts in their respective parts of the country.

These stories are published in the "Summary of Commentary on Current Economic Conditions by Federal Reserve District," more commonly known as the Beige Book.

Yet again, January's Beige Book entries revealed a lot of mixed messages about the economy and the challenges businesses face in planning for the year ahead. Today on the show, we take inventory of the best Beige Book entries and hear how the just-in-time production model is making a comeback.

Toyota pioneered just-in-time production in the 1930s. For more, listen to "Toyota Camry, supply chain hero."

Note: We spoke to the Federal Reserve officials featured in this episode before their media blackout period.

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For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.