Month: November 2019
The Institute for Trend Research (ITR) quarterly reports focus on major areas of economic growth and decline in key market segments for the Precision Machined Products Industry. They are provided to PMPA members as part of the association’s overall business intelligence program and are used as a management tool to help PMPA members plan for what lies ahead and which markets they should focus on in a complex manufacturing environment.
Business Trends Sales Index -Still Positive for the Year
“No denying seasonal effects on shipments of our products.”
Tis the Season- but not for shipping components! With 80 companies responding, the PMPA Business Trends Index for November came in at 123, down 12 points (8.8%) from October, and down 7 points (5.4%) from November of 2018. The Index average for the year is 135, up 1 point or 0.7% from last year’s 134. Despite the low value, November’s index is up 6 points or 5.1% from the five-year average for November. The 3-month moving average of this sales index is clearly moving away from the 12-month moving average- welcome to Q4 seasonality. Bottom line- not as bad as it could be- essentially even with last year
My family has a story. I’ll bet yours does too.
I am humbled by what he and his generation did in their late ‘teens and early twenties. Not so impressed with how I muddled through those same years in my life.
Thanks Dad.
My daughter, Emma, and her husband, have been deployed in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East with the U.S. Army. Today they call West Point home.
I’ll bet your family has some stories like this too. I hope you share them this weekend. They are important ways to share your family’s values.
I got a pass. I got a university deferment. then I got a high draft number. No crazy Asian war for me.
So, when they bring up the flag at the parade today, I’ll be the first to jump up (or try to be) to salute, not the flag that goes by, but the sacrifices and love gifts of all who have worn the uniform of a U.S. Armed Service, who stepped forward and chose “Duty, Honor, Country” instead of “What’s in it for me?”
Isaac Newton is famously credited with saying “If I have seen further than most, it is because I have stood on the shoulders of Giants.”
Today, I echo his sentiment with gratitude for the service and sacrifice of the veterans. Thank you for your service. Thank you for your sacrifice.
You are all giants in my book.
Published November 2019
By Carli Kistler-Miller
Somma Tool Company has a history of taking advantage of opportunities to help the business thrive. Recently, Somma Tool found a way to expand its product line — and market — by acquiring the Max-Bar Tool Company.
Published November 2019
By Carli Kistler-Miller
What would you do with a reduction of 64% in non-billable hours? PMPA visited SEPCO-Erie in Erie, Pennsylvania twice and witnessed the results of commitment to continuous improvement.
Published November 2019
By Carli Kistler-Miller
Some committees can be a waste of time, but at PMPA, the committees are populated with dedicated PMPA members and staff who work hard to improve the precision machining industry.
Published November 2019
By Miles Free III
The causes of our workforce issues may be out of our hands, but there are definitely steps that we can take to improve our shop’s response to the issue.
November 2019
Craftsman’s Cribsheet #82
The 2019 OSHA violations list was presented at the NSC 2019 Safety Conference and Expo. It covered a citation period between Oct. 1, 2018 and Aug. 15, 2019. Of interest is that the Top Ten list of most frequent citations is evenly split between General Industry (1910) and Construction (1926). Here are the five most frequent violations applicable to our General Industry precision machining shops, as presented at the NSC 2019 conference.