Metalformers Regaining Optimism in March

After a shake in confidence last month, metalforming companies are once again optimistic that business conditions will improve in the next three months, albeit only slightly. Metal companies surveyed in the March 2014 Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) Business Conditions Report, however, are anticipating new orders to fall slightly during that same period.

Current average daily shipping levels improved in March with 48 percent reporting levels higher than three months. Lead times are about the same or somewhat shorter than 3 months ago, with 80 percent expressing no change, and 14 percent reporting lead times as shorter (up from 10 percent in February).