- FMA
- The Fabricator
- FABTECH
- Canadian Metalworking
Categories
- Additive Manufacturing
- Aluminum Welding
- Arc Welding
- Assembly and Joining
- Automation and Robotics
- Bending and Forming
- Consumables
- Cutting and Weld Prep
- Electric Vehicles
- En Español
- Finishing
- Hydroforming
- Laser Cutting
- Laser Welding
- Machining
- Manufacturing Software
- Materials Handling
- Metals/Materials
- Oxyfuel Cutting
- Plasma Cutting
- Power Tools
- Punching and Other Holemaking
- Roll Forming
- Safety
- Sawing
- Shearing
- Shop Management
- Testing and Measuring
- Tube and Pipe Fabrication
- Tube and Pipe Production
- Waterjet Cutting
Industry Directory
Webcasts
Podcasts
FAB 40
Advertise
Subscribe
Account Login
Search
Metal formers expect somewhat weaker business conditions during next three months
- September 22, 2008
- News Release
- Shop Management
According to the September 2008 Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) Business Conditions Report, metal forming companies expect business conditions to weaken somewhat during the next three months. Conducted monthly, the report is an economic indicator for manufacturing, sampling 164 metal forming companies in the United States and Canada.
When asked what the trend in general economic activity will be during the next three months, metal formers anticipate a slight decline. Only 16 percent of participants report that activity will improve (down from 20 percent in August), 53 percent predict activity will remain unchanged (compared to 52 percent last month) and 31percent forecast a decline in business conditions (up from 28 percent in August).
Metal forming companies also expect a drop in incoming orders during the next three months. Thirty-two percent of companies anticipate a decrease in orders (up from 29 percent in August), 41 percent expect no change (down from 42 percent the previous month) and 27 percent forecast an increase in orders (compared to 29 percent in August).
Current average daily shipping levels remained steady in September. Twenty percent of participants report that shipping levels are above levels of three months ago (up from 19 percent reported in August), 42 percent report no change (the same percentage reported last month) and 38 percent report that shipping levels are below levels of three months ago (compared to 39 percent in August).
The number of metal forming companies with a portion of their workforce on short time or layoff increased to 26 percent in September—up from 25 percent in August and at its highest level since July 2003 when 28 percent of companies reported workers on short time or layoff.
"Increased economic uncertainty in the credit and financial markets are having an impact on PMA members, giving them less confidence that there will be any rebound in orders and shipments in the 4th quarter," said William E. Gaskin, PMA president. "Automotive, housing-related, and appliance markets are all projecting lower production levels for the months ahead. While there are pockets of business growth, especially in lower volume production using fabricating and laser technologies, many longer-run production companies are anticipating a very soft 4th quarter," he continued.
subscribe now
The Fabricator is North America's leading magazine for the metal forming and fabricating industry. The magazine delivers the news, technical articles, and case histories that enable fabricators to do their jobs more efficiently. The Fabricator has served the industry since 1970.
start your free subscription- Stay connected from anywhere
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Fabricator.
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Welder.
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Tube and Pipe Journal.
Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Fabricator en Español.
- Podcasting
- Podcast:
- The Fabricator Podcast
- Published:
- 03/26/2024
- Running Time:
- 67:51
This week on The Fabricator Podcast, Jason Becker, host of the Arc Junkies Podcast and owner of Underground...
- Trending Articles
USS Midway’s tuition-free welding program a win-win
San Diego landmark becomes floating classroom for student welders
K&S celebrates 50 years in business
Guiding metal fabrication’s automation transformation
Increasing revenue by applying production concepts to sales and marketing
- Industry Events
Coil Processing Workshop & Tours
- April 2 - 3, 2024
- Corpus Christi, TX
GOLF4MFG South
- April 15, 2024
- Charlotte, NC
16th Annual Safety Conference
- April 30 - May 1, 2024
- Elgin,
Pipe and Tube Conference
- May 21 - 22, 2024
- Omaha, NE
World-Class Roll Forming Workshop
- June 5 - 6, 2024
- Louisville, KY