After suffering through a rough November, U.S. manufacturing and factory hiring both increased in December, according to the Institute for Supply Management.

According to the Associated Press, the Institute’s index of manufacturing activity rose to 50.7, up from 49.5 in November. That reading was the lowest since July 2009, just a month after the recession ended.

Employment measurement also rose to 52.7, up from 48.4 in November—the first time the employment gage fell below 50 in three years, according to the Associated Press.

Meanwhile, U.K. manufacturing also increased last month, according to a survey from Markit and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply.

The index measured the manufacturing sector rose to 51.4 in December, up from 49.2 in November.

The survey also showed manufacturing job losses was negligible, according to the Wall Street Journal.