CLEVELAND, OH—August 26, 2026—Metalforming manufacturers expressed a more optimistic economic outlook this month, anticipating improvement in economic activity and stronger incoming orders over the next three months, according to the August 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 86 metalforming companies in the United States and Canada.
PMA’s August report shows that 33% of manufacturers surveyed expect an increase in general economic activity in the next three months (up from 24% in July), 61% predict no change in activity (compared to 65% last month) and 6% forecast a decrease in activity (compared to 11% in July).
The August report also shows that metalformers anticipate stronger incoming orders over the next three months, with 49% of survey respondents expecting an increase in orders (up from 34% in July), 36% predicting no change in orders (compared to 48% in July) and 15% forecasting a decrease in orders (down from 18% in July).
Current average daily shipping levels rose slightly in August, with 47% of survey participants reporting an increase in current average daily shipping levels (up from 40% in July), 34% reporting no change (compared to 42% in July) and 19% reporting a decrease (compared to 18% in July).
Workforce indicators remained steady in August, as 48% of companies are expanding their workforce, up from 46% in July, while 5% reported having workers on short time or layoff, down from 6%. However, lead times lengthened in August, with 28% of respondents reporting longer lead times, up from 20% in July.
“While metalformers expressed growing caution in July, this month’s survey reflects a notable improvement in sentiment,” said Mark Getsay, PMA’s managing director. “The increase in companies expecting stronger economic activity and higher order volumes is an encouraging sign. While manufacturers continue to navigate supply-chain challenges and policy uncertainty, this month’s survey points to growing optimism heading into the fall.”
Full report results are available at https://surveys.pma.org/public/business_reports/pdf/BCREP.pdf.
PMA is the full-service trade association representing the $137-billion metalforming industry of North America—the industry that creates precision metal products using stamping, fabricating, spinning, slide forming and roll forming technologies, and other value-added processes. Its more than 900 member companies also include suppliers of equipment, materials and services to the industry. PMA leads companies toward superior competitiveness and profitability through advocacy, networking, statistics, the PMA Educational Foundation, FABTECH tradeshows and MetalForming magazine.