Metalforming Matters

For any organization to not only survive 75 years, but to prosper while doing so is quite an achievement and is truly a testament to the commitment and dedication of its people.  In the case of a trade association, those people are the volunteers who have served in leadership, and PMA has been blessed to have so many step forward over the years to fulfill that need. Our 75-year anniversary is a perfect time to publicly recognize the efforts of all of our volunteer leaders. PMA commissioned artist Mark Brabant to create a work of art—“Forming Value”—that not only says thank you, but, also, in a picture tells the story of how volunteer leaders historically have brought value to the organization and will continue to do so into the future. The piece’s central theme is the “working hands,” representing all PMA members that have in the past and into the future continue to diligently work together to “add value” to the metal coil that ties our industry together. The hands are m...

President Trump yesterday signed a proclamation placing tariffs of 25 percent on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum imports.  Mexico and Canada are exempted from the tariffs for now.  The tariffs take effect at 12:01 a.m. on March 23.  The President’s action is the result of recommendations from two Section 232 (national security) investigations conducted by the U.S. Commerce Department.  According to the proclamation, within 10 days, the Commerce Department will announce the process for filing a request for an exclusion for steel and aluminum products not available in the U.S. These tariffs will place at risk the jobs of millions of Americans who are employed in the metalforming, metal stamping and other U.S. industries that use steel. Restricted availability and increased costs for raw materials will likely lead to current customers sourcing finished products from overseas competitors, who will produce them with foreign steel or aluminum and import them...