Economy

Autumn Boost Expected by Metalformers
Written by Sandy Williams
September 27, 2017
Autumn is expected to bring stronger economic activity and more work for metalforming companies, according to the latest survey by the Precision Metalforming Association.
“Metalforming companies are greeting fall with increased optimism,” said PMA President Roy Hardy. “Predictions from our industry reflect the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics report which showed growth through some 36,000 new manufacturing jobs created last month. More work requires more workers so metalformers and our supporters in government should redouble efforts to address the skills gap and provide training opportunities.”
Current daily shipping levels spiked in September, said the PMA. Forty-one percent of survey participants reported shipping levels as higher than three months ago, compared to just 28 percent in August.
Four percent of companies surveyed had workers on short time or layoff in September, compared to 3 percent in August, and 8 percent a year ago.

Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Economy

Steel groups welcome passage of budget bill
Steel trade groups praised the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill (BBB) in Congress on Thursday.

Industry groups praise Senate for passing tax and budget bill
The Steel Manufacturers Association and the American Iron and Steel Institute applauded the tax provisions included in the Senate's tax and budget reconciliation bill.

Chicago PMI dips 0.1 points in June
The Chicago Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) slipped 0.1 points to 40.4 points, in June.

Multi-family pullback drives housing starts to 5-year low in May
US housing starts tumbled in May to a five-year low, according to figures recently released by the US Census Bureau.

Architecture firms still struggling, ABI data shows
Architecture firms reported a modest improvement in billings through May, yet business conditions remained soft, according to the latest Architecture Billings Index (ABI) release from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Deltek.