CLEVELAND, OH—August 15, 2011—According to the August 2011 Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) Business Conditions Report, metalforming companies anticipate a slight dip in business conditions during the next three months.  Conducted monthly, the report is an economic indicator for manufacturing, sampling 130 metalforming companies in the United States and Canada.

The August report shows that 24% of participants forecast a decline in economic activity during the next three months (up from 17% in July), 47% predict that activity will remain unchanged (compared to 55% last month) and 29% report that activity will improve (up from 28% in July).

Metalforming companies also expect a slight decrease in incoming orders during the next three months, with 27% predicting a decline in orders (up from 19% in July), 38% anticipating no change (compared to 48% last month) and 35% predicting an increase in orders (up from 33% in July).