GENERAL NEWS
Metal forming business for U. S./ Canada
On 23 February 2026, metal forming manufacturers forecast stable economic activity over the next three months, while reported shipping levels rose in January, according to the February 2026 Precision Metalforming Association( PMA)‘ Business Conditions Report’. Prepared monthly, PMA’ s report provides an economic indicator for the next three months of manufacturing, sampling 90 metal forming companies in the United States and Canada.
PMA is the full-service trade association representing the US $ 137-billion metalforming industry of North America. Over 900 member companies also include suppliers of equipment, materials and services to the industry.
PMA’ s February report shows that 41 % of manufacturers surveyed expect an increase in general economic activity in the next three months( compared to 49 % over January), 53 % predict no change in activity( compared to 43 % in January) and 6 % forecast a decrease in activity( down from 8 % in January).
“ Metal formers anticipate an uptick in
forthcoming orders in the next three months, with 57 % of survey respondents predicting an increase in orders( up from 53 % in January), 41 % expecting no change( compared to 37 %) and only 2 % forecasting a decrease in orders( down from 10 % in January),” said the PMA. Shipping levels in February rose for the second month in a row. Thirty-four per cent of metal formers surveyed reported an increase in current average daily shipping levels in February( up from 20 % in January), 50 % reported no change( the same percentage reported in January) and 16 % reported a decrease in shipping levels( down from 30 % in January).
The survey showed that only 2 % of respondents had workers on short-time or layoff in February, decreasing from 6 % in January and at its lowest level since January 2023. Around 33 % are currently expanding their workforce( the same percentage reported in January). Lead times decreased slightly in February, with 11 % of respondents reporting an increase in lead times, compared to 13 % in January.
“ PMA’ s February Business Conditions Report highlights the resilience of our members,” said PMA President, David Klotz.“ Metal formers continue to benefit from the tax certainty and pro-manufacturing provisions included in the‘ One Big Beautiful Bill Act’, including the restoration of 100 % bonus depreciation and full expensing of R & D investments. These policies are helping manufacturers invest in equipment and innovation.
“ At the same time, ongoing volatility surrounding tariffs and trade policy— including the implications of the recent Supreme Court decision on IEEPA tariffs— continues to create uncertainty for manufacturers planning for the months ahead. Greater clarity and predictability in trade policy will be critical to sustaining growth,” he cautioned.
The PMA Educational Foundation was established in 1996 to help develop a trained, motivated workforce. n
www. pma. org
Meet ISMR at STOM-TOOL
The Industrial Spring cycle, from 24-27 March 2026 in Kielce( Poland), will showcase modern industrial products and solutions with special exhibitions such as STOM-TOOL.
“ Industrial Spring is one of the largest and most comprehensive meetings of the industrial sector in Poland. In 2026, the Kielce exhibition and congress centre will be filled with modern technologies, automation, robotics and innovative solutions that address current production challenges. Hundreds of companies from Poland and overseas will present their products over tens of thousands of square metres of exhibition space, and the Targi Kielce exhibition halls will once again transform into a bustling, working factory,” the event organiser, Targi Kielce S. A., told ISMR.
Industrial Spring brings together a range of exhibitions dedicated to metalworking; tool technologies; industrial automation; welding; lasers; 3D printing and modern solutions for industry. These include STOM-BLECH & CUTTING; STOM-TOOL; STOM-LASER; STOM-ROBOTICS; STOM-FIX; KIELCE FLUID-POWER; EXPO-SURFACE; WELDING; 3D PRINTING DAY; CONTROL-STOM and TEiA EXPOS.
Each exhibition will include specialised conferences, seminars and industry meetings where specialists will discuss current trends and challenges facing the industry. ISMR is an international media partner at the STOM-TOOL exhibition for metal processing, tools and machine tools. The range of technologies presented at Industrial Spring will include CNC machinetools; laser and plasmacutters; bending machines; industrial robots; robotic systems; specialised machines for foundry; welding; quality control systems; microscopes and solutions for the automation and digitisation of production.
The Targi Kielce exhibition centre is currently undergoing intensive expansion of its infrastructure in parallel with preparations for Industrial Spring 2027. Construction of a new exhibition hall is underway, and the new facility will open in summer 2026. n
www. targikielce. pl / en / industrial-spring
6 | ismr. net | ISMR March 2026