Metalforming Matters

CLEVELAND, OH—April 17, 2015—According to the April 2015 Precision Metalforming Association  (PMA) Business Conditions Report, metalforming companies expect little change in business conditions during the next three months. Prepared monthly, the report is an economic indicator for manufacturing, sampling 120 metalforming companies in the United States and Canada. The April report shows that 33% of participants predict that economic activity will improve during the next three months (down from 35% in March), 58% expect that activity will remain unchanged (the same percentage reported last month) and 9% believe that economic activity will decline (up from 7% in March). Metalforming companies also forecast that incoming orders will remain steady during the next three months, with 41% predicting an increase in orders (down from 43% in March), 47% anticipating no change (the same percentage reported in March) and 12% expecting a decrease in orders (up from 10% last month). Current...

Each month, the PMA Member Spotlight features outstanding members sharing their insights into the latest industry trends and technologies. PMA is pleased to introduce Julius Feitl, President of Progressive Machine Die, Inc , Macedonia, Ohio. Julius Feitl, President, Progressive Machine Die, Inc.  Q:  Which job classifications are the most challenging to find skilled workers? A:  Press Operator and Setup Person – Most schools tend to focus on CNC operators, machinists and laser cutting, but there aren't any programs in schools specifically designed for press operators and setup people. At this point, the best way to find a skilled press operator or setup person is to hire them away from a competitor. This position is essential to stamping. I hope that in the future, schools start to offer training programs to develop these roles. Q:  What is the biggest technology challenge metalformers face today? A:  Understanding the benefits that ser...

CLEVELAND, OH—March 18, 2015—According to the March 2015 Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) Business Conditions Report, metalforming companies expect steady business conditions during the next three months. Prepared monthly, the report is an economic indicator for manufacturing, sampling 110 metalforming companies in the United States and Canada. The March report shows that 35% of participants predict that economic activity will improve during the next three months (up from 33% in February), 58% expect that activity will remain unchanged (compared to 59% last month) and 7% believe that economic activity will decline (down from 8% in February). Metalforming companies also anticipate little change in incoming orders during the next three months, with 43% predicting an increase in orders (down from 44% in February), 47% anticipating no change (compared to 48% in February) and 10% expecting a decrease in orders (up from 8% last month). Current average daily shipping levels als...

PMA was featured in a Daily News Journal article about our Tennessee district ’s gathering last week at Middle Tennessee State University, which has a special mechatronics major - a program that combines mechanical, computer and electrical engineering, systems integration and project management. A current senior at the school, Daniel Kiviniemi - who is also an employee of PMA member Feintool Tennessee Inc. - helped lead the tour through the MTSU machtronics program facilities like the Experimental Vehicles Program featuring impressive technologies including the NASA Lunar Rover. The PMA tour, which took place last Thursday, also included some 40 students from The Academy of Information Technology at Overton High School Tennessee District.  PMA Tennesee district Chairman Perry Hytken is quoted as saying of the tour, “I wouldn't be surprised if you don't see some of these students in mechatronics some day.” This article provides a good example of ways that local PMA dist...

During the MFG Meeting in Orlando, FL last week, there was a changing of the guard at PMA.  Bill Smith, CEO of Termax Corporation in Lake Zurich, IL took over as 2015 chairman of the PMA board of directors.  Smith assumes the chairmanship following Jody Fledderman's tenure through 2014. Smith accounced that the theme of his one-year term will be To Whom Much is Given, Much is Expected. With that theme in mind he and the PMA board will be focused on: 1) Developing a PMA mentorship program, 2) Establishing a new funding initiative for the PMA Educational Foundation, and 3) Raising awareness of the PMA/NTMA One Voice advocacy program in Washington, DC. Here's a video of our new chairman testing out the weight of the gavel. Congratulations, Bill!  We look forward to seeing your positive influence on the future of PMA!

This week, manufacturing sector leaders from three leading manufacturing industry trade associations including PMA will gather for the fifth annual MFG Meeting. In addition to the sun and sand, the three-day conference will be focused on the future of the U.S. manufacturing sector, especially the impact of innovative technologies. A press release about the conference is below.  Stay tuned to our blog and our Twitter account ( @PMATalk ) for updates from Orlando. The Power of U.S. Manufacturing on Display in Orlando Focus on Innovative Technologies at Manufacturing Industry Leader Conference For Immediate Release                                                                      Contact: Christie Carmigiano March 3, 2015                     ...

CLEVELAND, OH—February 19, 2015—According to the February 2015 P recision Metalforming Association (PMA) Business Conditions Report, metalforming companies expect a slight dip in business conditions during the next three months. Prepared monthly, the report is an economic indicator for manufacturing, sampling 119 metalforming companies in the United States and Canada. The February report shows that only 33% of participants predict that economic activity will improve during the next three months (down from 45% in January), 59% expect that activity will remain unchanged (compared to 49% last month) and 8% believe that economic activity will decline (up from 6% in January). Metalforming companies also anticipate a slight decline in incoming orders during the next three months, with 44% predicting an increase in orders (down from 50% in January), 48% anticipating no change (compared to 42% in January) and 8% expecting a decrease in orders (the same percentage reported last month). H...