| Manufacturers Optimistic Despite Uncertainty Early in 2025 | | “While uncertainty defined the early months of 2025, 43% of metal formers expect profits to increase more than 5% in 2025 compared to 2024, which is slightly higher than other manufacturers. Manufacturers project an average revenue growth of 2.7%, reflecting renewed confidence in a gradually stabilizing market.” |
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| MetalForming's Tool & Die ebook | MetalForming’s first ever Tool & Die ebook is now available! This is a homage to the stamping die—and its creators. Included in the ebook:- Major stages of a metal forming die from design through build to storage.
- Tutorial on the design and test of a strip layout.
- Sage advice and learned lessons of working tool- and diemakers.
- And more!
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| From Data to Decisions: How Smarter Factories Will Shape Manufacturing | With the expectation that revenue will rise during the second half of 2025, proactive manufacturers that prioritize investments in innovative technology will capture momentum and fortify resilience. Contributing author Matthew Heerey, president of the manufacturing division of ECI Software Solutions, writes:
“Manufacturers can sustain growth by embracing decentralized systems and integrating artificial-intelligence-powered smart factories. These approaches can streamline processes and boost overall productivity.” | | |
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| Automation: Not a “Nice to Have,” It’s a “Must-Have” | The basic building blocks of business success include improving efficiency, capacity and productivity, all keys to remaining competitive and profitable. This MetalForming online-only article opines on the several benefits delivered by automation, including attracting the next-gen workforce, who not only will be comfortable with the integration of automation but will be accustomed to it long before they enter the job market. Oh, and for company owners looking to sell, the article’s authors note:
“Automation will help increase valuations for owners and entrepreneurs and help broaden the buyer universe, as automation makes metal fabrication an attractive opportunity for buyers/ investors.” |
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| Put Your Company at a Competitive Advantage | | Position your company as an industry leader when you utilize PMA resources—ITR Econ Trends reports, trade publications, One Voice and FABTECH trade shows. A PMA membership will provide your company and all of its employees with a range of valuable industry resources that are designed to help you become more connected, more informed, more efficient, more competitive and ultimately more profitable. |
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| AI Assistant for Tariffs Compliance | | Introduced in Quickcode, an artificial-intelligence (AI)-powered trade-compliance assistant, are new features designed to help businesses navigate evolving International Emergency Economic Powers Act and Section 301 tariffs and other trade regulations. With new tariffs already in place and more on the way, Quickcode's latest enhancements make compliance faster, more efficient and more accessible for businesses of all sizes, according to company officials. | | |
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| WATCH: Corner Office Café—Michael Lauber | | This segment of MetalForming senior editor Kate Bachman’s Corner Office Café features a conversation with Michael Lauber, CEO, TuscoMfg, Gnadenhutten, OH. In an 8-min. video, Michael describes the fascinating launch of the company and other cool stuff. | | |
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| Business Conditions Survey: More than Half of Metal Formers Predict No Change in Activity | | PMA’s March report Business Conditions Report reveals that 23% of surveyed manufacturers anticipate an increase in economic activity in the next three months, down from 32% in February, while 54% predict no change in activity—almost no change compared to 55% in February. In addition, 24% anticipate a decline in orders in the next three months, compared to 13% in February, and 40% predict no change—compared to 43% last month. | | |
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| Mission and Vision—Two Distinctive Concepts | | MetalForming editorial director Brad Kuvin writes: “Every company seemingly has a mission statement … Some refer to these few sentences as their foundation and identity, explaining the company’s purpose and objectives. … However, as common as mission statements are, more companies should take the time to craft a vision statement ... to define the company’s plans for the future and set a course for all to follow.” | | |
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| Fifty Days of Tariffs | | From PMA lobbyist Omar Nashashibi: “Much is being made of the president’s first few months in office, and for good reason. However, under President Trump, if you miss a day a week might go by. In just his first 50 days, he added 20% to the existing tariffs on China; imposed, then lifted, tariffs on Canada and Mexico; and threatened to impose retaliatory tariffs across the globe. Throughout the back and forth, one threat remained: that Trump would impose tariffs on steel and aluminum, beginning March 12, a step he did take.” | | |
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| FABTECH 2025 to Feature New Job Shop Pavilion | | FABTECH 2025, September 8-11 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, will feature a new North American Job Shop Pavilion, providing job shops and contract manufacturers an exclusive opportunity to connect directly with manufacturers looking for high-quality, specialized parts and services. | | |
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| PE Firm Heartland Growth Partners with Victory Machine & Fabrication | | Private-equity firm Heartland Growth Partners, Columbus, OH, backed by owner-operators of industrial companies, has announced a strategic partnership with Victory Machine & Fabrication, Sidney, OH, a provider of millwright and rigging, machining and metal fabrication services. | | |
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| MetalForming Live on the Shop Floor | | Circle your calendar for April 29th, as automation-savvy metal formers and fabricators detail their efforts and results in this live, virtual event. | | |
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| Ajax Building Out its Med-Tech Capabilities, Hires Business Development Manager | | Ajax Metal Forming Solutions, Minneapolis, MN, has hired Mark Davidson as business development manager for its medical/life-science unit. “Mark’s depth and experience in medical and life-science businesses, along with his track record of performance, make him a welcome addition to our team,” says Don Wellman, Ajax VP of sales and marketing. |
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