Nearly two-thirds of North American metalforming companies expect economic activity to remain stable in the coming weeks, according to the latest survey from the Precision Metalforming Association.
The PMA’s July Business Conditions Report found that 65% of the 85 manufacturers participating in the survey expected no change in general economic activity in the next three months, up from 62% anticipating no changes in the June poll.
Nearly one-quarter of participants, meanwhile, again expected an increase in activity over that span, and the number expecting a decline fell from 14% in June down to 11%
Just under half of metalformers — 48% — expected no change in orders in the next three months, while just under one-third anticipated an increase in incoming orders.
PMA analysts also noted a slight softening of daily average shipping levels and workforce indicators in the latest report.
“PMA’s July report reflects that metalformers remain resilient but are becoming increasingly cautious,” PMA Managing Director Mark Getsay said in a statement. “Members are managing through supply-chain challenges, higher costs and changing tariff policies that complicate business planning, but most respondents continue to expect activity to remain steady as they carefully balance investment, hiring and production decisions.”
