When standing still can be a sign of progress

Mar 19, 2009 | 04:46 AM |

It's a critical transportation industry. It's been hit hard by the financial crisis. And metals suppliers who had been banking on a continued expansion are now facing a very different situation.

But unlike the auto industry, which in North America at least is on its knees, the aerospace sector hasn't yet seen a massive drop in demand, and unless the world economy takes another dive, prospects for aero industry suppliers look better than elsewhere.

That's not to say things are looking good. Even before the credit crunch hit in earnest in September, suppliers to the aerospace industry had their own set of problems to deal with, many related to Boeing's delays to its 787 Dreamliner as well as Airbus' 380 airliner. Titanium in particular was beginning to feel the pressure as the prospect of overcapacity and sluggish prices hit domestic producers.....