SHOWROOM

Solid Year Expected for Automotive; Solid Year Expected for Automotive

51.5

The Committee for Equipment Statistics of the Society of the Plastics Industry has started to compile and report data on the market for hot runners. This is a new data set, so the amount of statistical analysis that can be performed is limited. But the trend in market demand for hot runners should ultimately prove quite interesting to moldmakers.

Packaging Outlook: Stable to Better; Aerospace Industry was Strong in 2012-- Can It Sustain the Momentum?

Packaging Outlook: Stable to Better; Aerospace Industry was Strong in 2012-- Can It Sustain the Momentum?

51.3

U.S. Computer Industry Is in Early Stages of Recovery; Electric Power Industry Rebounds from Cyclical Low-Point

49.8

Medical & Consumer Products

Trends may suggest sluggish growth in the near term, but in the long term these trends will result in a more healthy recovery. Our latest forecast calls for sub-par GDP growth in the first half of 2013, but the recovery will accelerate noticeably in the second half of this year. We expect the annual growth in real GDP to be at least 2.5% this year, and at least 3.5% in 2014.

Aerospace Outlook: Steady Growth in 2013; Automotive Industry Will Remain a Bright Spot in 2013

Total Mold Business Index for November 2012: 45.8

Auto Industry Outlook: Continued Growth; Medical Industry Gains Will Stay Robust

Total Mold Business Index for October 2012: 45.6

Production of Aerospace Products and Parts is Accelerating; Plastics Packaging Demand Will Exceed Growth in the Overall Economy

Total Mold Business Index for September 2012: 44.4

This is my last blog posting before the election next Tuesday, so I thought I would offer a few final comments about the proper role of politics in our economy. You can call this my competitive philosophy for government.

There are a few things that our elected officials should do immediately in an effort to help the US economy. Keep in mind that the ultimate goal of US national economic policy should be one thing and one thing only: long-term productivity growth. We may think that we want unlimited healthcare, copious retirement benefits, and free entertainment for our citizens, but without sustained productivity growth in our economy over the long term we will not be able to afford any of these things.

Consumer Products & Medical

Total Mold Business Index for August 2012: 48.6

Light Vehicle Sales: Steady, Not Great; Computer Production Hits a Lull

Total Mold Business Index for July 2012: 48.9

Defense Suppliers Hoping to Avoid “Fiscal Cliff” and Energy Production Accelerating

Total Mold Business Index for June 2012: 54.5

Starting with July, 2011, here is how the MBI has looked for the past twelve months.

Computers/Electronics Industries in Early Recovery and Medical Equipment Output Accelerates

Total Mold Business Index for April 2012: 54.3

A wise economist once said, “Predictions are difficult to make, especially about the future.” But as any shop owner/manager knows, it is impossible to run a business without them.

Automotive & Consumer Products

Total Mold Business Index for March 2012: 52.7.

Plastics Packaging Outlook: Moderate Growth in 2012, and Aerospace/Defense Spending Outlook.

Total Mold Business Index for February 2012: 56.6

Total Mold Business Index for January 2012: 53.9

Energy & Electronics

Total Mold Business Index for December 2011: 52.0

Medical Equipment and Supplies; Consumer Goods.

Total Mold Business Index for November 2011: 53.0

Market Outlook: Motor Vehicles; Market Outlook: Aerospace Products and Parts

Total Mold Business Index for October 2011: 55.7

More information at a faster speed, the Mold Business Index is a giant step in raising your level of market intelligence.

Total Mold Business Index for September 2011: 51.2

Total Mold Business Index for August 2011: 56.3.

Total Mold Business Index for July 2011: 50.0

Total Mold Business Index for June 2011: 55.3

Total Mold Business Index for May 2011: 53.5.

The Mold Business Index (MBI) for April 2011 is 47.1.

Total Mold Business Index for March 2011: 53.0.

Total Mold Business Index for February 2011: 51.9.

A commentary on the rise in gas prices on mold manufacturing, and why we need to take this opportunity to learn, grow and to become stronger as a nation.

Total Mold Business Index for January 2011: 57.5.

So when it comes time for a mold shop to forecast its future business levels, one must seek out alternative indicators. One indicator that we consistently monitor is the trend in capital spending on industrial equipment.

Total Mold Business Index for December 2010: 48.9.

The question is no longer whether materials prices will continue to rise for North American moldmakers, but rather can manufacturers in this region survive or even thrive given these prevailing trends in the market conditions.

Total Mold Business Index for November 2010: 42.5

In order to make profits, you need to arm yourself with the right market information.

Manufacturing is the solution to our national problems. We must manufacture our prosperity. Moldmaking on this continent must not just merely survive, it must thrive and expand. Our time is at hand. The next decade must be Manufacturing’s Moment. But it will not happen by accident.

Total Mold Business Index for November 2009: 50.0

We are at the start of a New Year and we are at the start of a new period of economic recovery.

Total Mold Business Index for December 2009: 45.8

A few months ago, I suggested that MoldMaking Technology sponsor an art exhibit comprised of molds and tooling.

Total Mold Business Index for January 2010: 40.2

Most of us are lucky enough to remember grandparents who had vivid memories of the Great Depression.

Total Mold Business Index for February 2010: 45.1

At first glance, the accompanying chart of steel prices tells a disturbing story.

Total Mold Business Index for March 2010: 44.7

If you ask any red-blooded, patriotic American manufacturer what he or she is in business to make, the answer should be quick and simple.

Total Mold Business Index for April 2010: 47.8

U.S. economic growth in the first quarter was stronger than most forecasters expected, and the second quarter has also been pretty decent.

The Mold Business Index (MBI) for June 2010 is 45.1.

Recently I was in a meeting with a customer who had been hit hard by the past recession, and they were struggling to find their bearings.

Total Mold Business Index for July 2010: 53.6

Here is one economist’s view of the effects of Washington DC on domestic manufacturing and how to fix it.

The total Mold Business Index is a weighted average of the Sub-Indices for new orders, production, employees, backlog, exports, and supplier deliveries.    The Mold Business Index (MBI) for October 2010 is 51.3.

As 2010 comes to a close, Americans are still struggling with a high unemployment rate, low consumer confidence, declining house prices and an uncomfortably high level of uncertainty about the future.

55.2 Total Mold Business Index for September 2009 The total Mold Business Index is a weighted average of the sub-indices for new orders, production, employees, backlog, exports and supplier deliveries

56.5 Total Mold Business Index for August 2009 The total Mold Business Index is a weighted average of the sub-indices for new orders, production, employees, backlog, exports and supplier deliveries.

47.5 Total Mold Business Index for July 2009 The total Mold Business Index is a weighted average of the sub-indices for new orders, production, employees, backlog, exports and supplier deliveries.

52.6 Total Mold Business Index for June 2009 The total Mold Business Index is a weighted average of the sub-indices for new orders, production, employees, backlog, exports and supplier deliveries

41.3 Total Mold Business Index for May 2009 The total Mold Business Index is a weighted average of the sub-indices for new orders, production, employees, backlog, exports and supplier deliveries.

38.6 Total Mold Business Index for December 2008 The total Mold Business Index is a weighted average of the sub-indices for new orders, production, employees, backlog, exports and supplier deliveries.

42.5 Total Mold Business Index for November 2008 The total Mold Business Index is a weighted average of the sub-indices for new orders, production, employees, backlog, exports and supplier deliveries.

47.2 Total Mold Business Index for OCTOBER 2008 The total Mold Business Index is a weighted average of the sub-indices for new orders, production, employees, backlog, exports and supplier deliveries.

Mold shop’s focus on high-tech capabilities and full-service operation earns it a niche in precision tools.

The total Mold Business Index is a weighted average of the sub-indices for new orders, production, employees, backlog, exports and supplier deliveries.

The total Mold Business Index is a weighted average of the sub-indices for new orders, production, employees, backlog, exports and supplier deliveries.

Moldmaker turns metal fabrication skills into a major profit center with aerospace work.

The total Mold Business Index is a weighted average of the sub-indices for new orders, production, employees, backlog, exports and supplier deliveries.

Overall economic growth in the U.S. is sputtering so far this year, and this is constraining demand for new molds in the first quarter of 2008

The total Mold Business Index is a weighted average of the sub-indices for new orders, production, employees, backlog, exports and supplier deliveries.

53.7 Total Mold Business Index for December 2007 The total Mold Business Index is a weighted average of the sub-indices for new orders, production, employees, backlog, exports and supplier deliveries.

46.5 Total Mold Business Index for November 2007 The total Mold Business Index is a weighted average of the sub-indices for new orders, production, employees, backlog, exports and supplier delive

Equipment and component suppliers are developing a range of products for advanced moldmaking needs.

Mold Business Index for October 2007

Mold Business Index for September 2007

Mold Business Index for August 2007

Mold Business Index for July 2007

Mold Business Index for April 2007

Mold Business Index for March 2007

Mold Business Index for February 2007

Mold Business Index for January 2007

Mold Business Index for December 2006

Mold Business Index for November 2006

Mold Business Index for October 2006

Mold Business Inex for September 2006

Mold Business Index for Augut 2006

Business Mold Index for July 2006

Mold Business Index for June 2006

Mold Business Index for April 2006

Mold Business Index for March 2006

Mold Business Index for February 2006

Mold Business Index for January 2006

Mold Business Index for December 2005

Mold Business Index for Novemebr 2005

Mold Business Index For October 2005

Mold Business Index for September 2005

Mold Business Index for Ausust 2005

Mold Business Index for July 2005

Mold Business Index for June 2005

Mold Business Index May 2005

Mold Business Index March 2005