INDUSTRY NEWS
Metalforming business conditions report
Metalforming companies forecasted less volatility in business conditions in the coming months , according to the November 2023 Precision Metalforming Association ( PMA ) Business Conditions Report . Prepared monthly , PMA ’ s report provides an economic indicator for the next three months of manufacturing , sampling 108 metalforming companies in the United States and Canada .
PMA is the full-service trade association representing the US $ 137-billion metalforming industry of North America — the industry that creates precision metal products using stamping , fabricating , spinning , slide forming and rollforming technologies as well as other value-added processes . Its more than 900 member companies also include suppliers of equipment , materials and services to the industry .
PMA ’ s November report shows that 49 % of metalforming companies expect no change in general economic activity in the next three months ( compared to 36 % in October 2023 ), 42 % predict a decrease in activity ( compared to 54 % in October 2023 ) and 9 % forecast an increase in activity ( down from 10 % in October 2023 ).
Metalformers also anticipate that incoming orders will stabilise , with 45 % of survey respondents expecting no change in orders during the next three months ( compared to 35 % in October 2023 ), 38 % predicting a decrease in orders ( compared to 48 % in October 2023 ) and 17 % forecasting an increase in orders ( the same percentage reported in October 2023 ).
“ Current average daily shipping levels remained fairly steady in November 2023 , with 18 % of responding companies reporting an increase in shipping levels ( compared to 15 % in October 2023 ), 33 % reporting no change ( compared to 40 % in October 2023 ) and 49 % reporting a decrease in shipping levels ( up from 45 % in October 2023 ).
“ The November PMA Business Conditions Report reflects PMA members ’ optimism that the end of the United Auto Workers ( UAW ) labour strike against Ford , GM and Stellantis will mean more stability in the sector ,” said PMA President , David Klotz . “ The latest report
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shows that most respondents now predict no change or an improvement in business activity after two months of predicting declines .”
Thirteen per cent of metalforming companies reported an increase in lead times in November 2023 ( compared to 12 % in October ). Six per cent of companies had a portion of their workforce on short-time or layoff in November 2023 ( decreasing from 7 % in October 2023 ), while READ 36 % of companies are currently expanding their workforce ( compared to
REPORT
42 % in October 2023 ). n
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Ducati reports results for first three quarters
Ducati closed the first three quarters of 2023 with 47,867 motorcycles delivered to Ducatisti enthusiasts all over the world , recording a slight drop ( -4 %) compared to the same period in 2022 ( 49,858 ).
Deliveries in the main markets for the Bologna-based ( Italy ) motorcycle manufacturer remained stable , recording growth of 2 % in Italy ( 8,474 motorcycles ) and 2 % in the United States ( 6,704 motorcycles ). Germany , which represents the third largest market for the company , recorded growth of + 1 % ( 5,764 motorcycles ). In the same period , China ( sixth largest market for the company ) saw a significant decline with 46 % fewer deliveries ( 2,201 motorcycles ) compared to the same period in 2022 .
“ In the first nine months of the year , we stabilised our results in the main markets
thanks to a range of sophisticated and highly technological products . Added to this is the offer of limited , prestigious and unique models such as the Ducati Streetfighter V4 Lamborghini and the Panigale V4 2022 World Champion Replica , which had incredible success among our enthusiasts ,” declared Francesco Milicia , VP Global Sales and After Sales , Ducati .
“ Due to a complex market situation , we are currently experiencing a drop in sales in China , a country where Ducati is much loved and where we have a wonderful community of enthusiasts . We have already developed a comprehensive action plan that takes into account the specific situation and we ’ ll keep monitoring closely the market , with the goal of bringing it back to its results of the past .”
During the first nine months of 2023 , the model most requested by enthusiasts was the Multistrada V4 in all its variants , with 8,680 units delivered worldwide between January and September 2023 . All the models based on the V4 engine enjoyed success , confirmed Ducati . The Diavel V4 , presented at the end of 2022 , also received the approval of Ducatisti with 2,417 motorcycles delivered worldwide . n
12 | ismr . net | ISMR December 2023 / January 2024