Metalforming Matters

PMA is proud to be a FABTECH 2013 show partner and to be part of the show's efforts to raise money for the victims of the recent storms in Illinois . From the FABTECH site - FABTECH 2013 show partners offer their condolences to the victims of the severe storms and tornados that devastated Washington, Illinois and other areas of the state on November 17 th .  Citizens of our host state for FABTECH 2013 are struggling to recover from the physical and economic damage caused by these storms that hit on a set-up day for the show.  Some of our exhibitors and attendees were directly impacted by this tragedy. Several show exhibitors have started to raise funds for the victims of the storms, with California-based Sutherland Presses pledging to match contributions up to a total of $5,000.  FABTECH is joining this fundraising effort.  The five FABTECH show partners* are donating $10,000 to this relief campaign, and encourage all show exhibitors and attendees to contribute....

The latest PMA business conditions report is out and it looks like good new for metalformers.  The monthly survey of metalforming companies reveals that more than 25% of companies expect economic activity to improve over the next three months. Read more below - Business Conditions Report: November 2013 Wednesday, November 13, 2013   CLEVELAND, OH —November 13, 2013—According to the November 2013 Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) Business Conditions Report, metalforming companies expect an improvement in business conditions during the next three months.  Conducted monthly, the report is an economic indicator for manufacturing, sampling 124 metalforming companies in the United States and Canada. The November report shows that 27% of participants forecast that economic activity will improve during the next three months (up from 22% in October), 58% predict that activity will remain unchanged (compared to 56% last month) and only 15% believe that economic ac...

Erick Ajax and an employee at his facility. Star Tribune photo.  PMA member Erick Ajax, co-owner of E.J. Ajax in Fridley, Minnesota, and Minnesota Senator Al Franken appear together on the byline of an op-ed that ran in the Minnesota Star Tribune over the weekend.  The piece, " Closing the skills gap is a matter of partnership ," focuses on ways to build stronger relationships between businesses and two-year schools. It begins - Senator Al Franken (D-MN)      "One of us owns an innovative advanced metal forming company based in Fridley; the other is a U.S. senator. Both of us share a strong belief that the United States must address the “skills gap” that has left more than 3 million good-paying jobs unfilled. We also know from our experiences that we can close this gap in a way that will connect skilled workers with jobs, help make college more affordable and boost our competitiveness in a global economy.      By forgi...

PMA is happy to announce the success of its Women in Manufacturing group's third annual SUMMIT event.  Here's the post-event press release.  You can also read it here .  And you can check out photo highlights of the event the Women in Manufacturing Facebook page . CLEVELAND, OH — More than 200 leading women manufacturing executives, managers and students from across the country gathered in Dearborn, MI, on October 22-23, 2013 for the Women in Manufacturing (WiM) SUMMIT 2013, hosted by the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA).  Designed exclusively for women who have chosen a career in the manufacturing industry, this third annual conference provided a unique opportunity for participants to share perspectives and network with their female peers in the manufacturing sector. “We were elated by the enthusiasm surrounding our third annual SUMMIT,” said WiM Director Allison Grealis. “The turnout at this year’s event shows that our group is continuing to develop...