The PMPA Business Trends Summary Report for 2013 shines an optimistic light on first quarter 2014 for our precision machining shops and for manufacturing in general. The 3 month sentiment indicators for Sales Outlook, Lead Times, Employment and Profitability were all strongly positive according to our 92 respondents. December 2013 was best ever.
Shipments and sales of the precision machining industry are virtually identical to las tjune and last year to date according to PMPA’s June 2013 Business Trends Survey. Sales, Employment and other indicators remain positive.
Manufacturing continues to be a strength of the U.S. Economy. Markets served by precision machining companies like electronic parts, motor vehicle parts, aerosapce and miscellaneous transportation equipment, and miscellaaneous manufacturing all were up 1% in July. Manufacturing is up 5% from July 2011 to july 2012.