Economy

PMA Says Dip in Business Conditions Ahead

February 18, 2014

The Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) reported metalforming companies surveyed in the February 2014 Business Conditions Report are expecting weaker business conditions during the next three months.

Those who expect economic activity to improve during the period slipped from 46 percent in January to 32 percent in February. PMA members anticipate a modest decline in incoming orders during the next three months.

Average daily shipping levels improved in February and are above levels of three months ago according to survey response.

Six percent of metalforming companies reported workforce on short time or layoff in February, unchanged from January and down from 19 percent a year ago.

“Business conditions reported by PMA members are consistent with widely reported caution on the part of manufacturers that consumer demand and confidence is not as strong as expected,” said William E. Gaskin, PMA president.

At a meeting of PMA’s Cleveland District, Gaskin said participants were frustrated by government inaction. “Most agreed that increasing regulatory costs and frustrations over the lack of action in Washington, D.C. on tax rates, immigration and trade agreements threatened to restrict a stronger economic recovery.”

The February PMA Business Conditions Report is based on responses from 115 PMA manufacturing members. The full report may be read at www.pma.org.