Economy

December PMA Report: No Change in Activity
Written by Sandy Williams
December 22, 2020
Metalforming firms are expecting business conditions and order activity to remain unchanged during the next three months, said the Precision Metalforming Association in its December 2020 Business Conditions Report.
“Metalforming manufacturers are showing resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic, but finding workers continues to be a challenge despite the high unemployment rate,” said PMA President David Klotz. “In addition, members are experiencing supply chain problems that are causing low steel inventories as supply tightens.”
Average daily shipping levels declined in December, reported PMA firms. Fewer companies had a portion of their workforce on short time or layoff in December at 14 percent compared to 15 percent last month.
The Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) Business Conditions Report is prepared monthly from a sampling of 111 U.S. and Canadian metalforming companies and is considered an economic indicator for manufacturing.
Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Economy
US sets Section 232 tariffs on trucks and buses
Medium- and heavy-duty trucks (MHDV) and buses imported to the US will start being charged Section 232 tariffs beginning Nov. 1.
AMU: Consumer auto delinquencies: Warning sign for consumer health?
The Consumer Federation of America estimates rising total auto debt at a staggering $1.66 trillion, along with increasing repossessions and a sharp increase in delinquencies.
Beige Book: Regional market growth remains mostly flat
Economic growth in some US regions in September was offset by challenges in others, causing the market to appear largely unchanged overall, according to the Federal Reserve’s latest Beige Book report.
ISM September survey captures deepening manufacturing gloom
The Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) latest monthly report on manufacturing reflects a bleak view of American industry in September.
Key industries concerned over government shutdown’s impact on steel, manufacturing
Trade groups cautioned that a prolonged shutdown could strain US industry.
