Metalformers’ outlook brighter as manufacturing sector improves

Feb 15, 2011 | 11:42 AM |

Metal roll-formers, stampers, machinists and fabricators have seen demand for their products improve, but they remain worried about rising raw material costs.

Fifty-one percent of metalformers surveyed this month by the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) predict the trend of general economic activity will improve over the next three months, up from 47 percent last month. Some 48 percent said their January shipments were above those of three months ago compared with 26 percent a month ago, and a whopping 61 percent said incoming orders will trend upward through April vs. 52 percent previously.

"Certainly, business has improved month over month and over last year, and we expect that to continue past the next three to six months," Colin Cosgrove, sales manager for Laystrom Manufacturing Co., Chicago, told AMM Tuesday.....