Arizona-based ISM's manufacturing index registered 53.1 percent, or 2.9 percentage points, higher than December, meaning the pace of growth picked up across the country last month.

Four industries didn't grow in January, according to ISM: nonmetallic minerals, computers and electronics, wood products, and chemicals.

Of the various metrics used in ISM's index, manufacturing employment has been the strongest at 40 months of growth, while new orders grew again in January after contracting in December. Production and prices also grew faster last month.