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Moldmaking Activity Has Contracted in a Desirable Direction

April’s moldmaking index contracted again but continued to inch toward a reading of 50 — the hurdle to cross before entering expansion.

Contraction in Moldmaking Activity Slowed Again in March

While still contracting, March’s moldmaking index is back on track, albeit at a slower pace, to potentially cross back over into expansion territory.

Tackling a Mold Designer Shortage

Survey findings reveal a shortage of skilled mold designers and engineers in the moldmaking community, calling for intervention through educational programs and exploration of training alternatives while seeking input from those who have addressed the issue successfully.

Moldmaking Activity Returns to Accelerated Contraction

February’s index dropped from the more positive readings seen in January, landing on par with July 2023 and remaining in contraction mode.

Moldmaking Activity Begins 2024 With Slowed Contraction

January index reading reflects February-March 2023 readings as it slinks toward a reading of 50. There are high hopes that it may continue on this path to sustained expansion for 2024.

Contraction in Moldmaking Activity Slowed According to GBI

The moldmaking index almost bounced back to November’s reading but stopped one point shy, as most components slowed or stabilized contraction in December.

November GBI Saw a Drop in Moldmaking Activity

The moldmaking index experienced a high degree of accelerated contract, primarily driven by production, new orders and backlog readings.

GBI Shifts to Second Straight Month of Slowing Contraction

While contraction has been an ongoing course for activity in the GBI: Moldmaking, its slight slowing might suggest that positive change is coming.

GBI: Moldmaking Undertakes Slightly Slowing Contraction

While most component activities remained unchanged in September, employment and supplier deliveries indicate a brief let-up from the contraction trend.

Contraction is the Consistent Trend for Moldmaking

The August Gardner Business Index (GBI): Moldmaking saw more of the same contraction activity that has been reported the last four months.

Moldmaking Industry GBI Contracts for Four Months Straight

The GBI Moldmaking ended the month at 45.8, down one point from June, with components contracting or nearing contraction activity.

June GBI: Moldmaking — More of the Same

Several components contracted even faster in June, driving a consecutive second 0.6-point drop in moldmaking activity.

May Moldmaking Index Trends Downward

Contraction, experienced by most May components, continues to be familiar territory for the GBI: Moldmaking Index.

U.S. Economic Fundamentals Impacting Moldmaking

The economy continues to downshift, capping growth in moldmaking.

Moldmaking GBI Returns to Contraction After One-Month Respite

After a challenging move into the 50s in March, the April GBI returned to a mostly consistent state of contraction, the result of recent market dynamics.

Moldmaking Industry GBI Snuck Into Growth Territory in March

Growing for the first time since August 2022, the Gardner Business Index (GBI) Moldmaking ended March at 50.9, somewhat against the odds given the market developments that month.

February's Moldmaking Industry GBI Crept Toward Growth

Despite contracting activity, moldmaking landed itself on the cusp to potential expansion in March, further encouraged by the slowing contraction of most Index components.

Moldmaking GBI Continues its "Spark" in January

Moldmaking activity contracted again in January, but the pace has continued to slow, suggesting that things might be looking up if it continues.

Moldmaking GBI Reveals Change of Pace in Contractionary Activity

The Gardner Business Index Moldmaking closed in December at 47.2, up two points from November’s 45.2, a positive note after several months of downturned activity.

Components Drive Downturned Activity in Moldmaking GBI

Gardner Intelligence reports a steady contractionary period for the November Gardner Business Index (GBI) Moldmaking.

Moldmaking Industry GBI Follows Industry in Contraction Trend

The October Gardner Business Index (GBI) for moldmaking experienced a second month of contraction.

Moldmaking Industry Contracts for First Time in Two Years

The September Gardner Business Index (GBI) for moldmaking indicates more components are contracting than expanding.

Moldmaking Industry GBI Ends August Flat

The August Gardner Business Index (GBI) indicated a lack of growth, having squeaked out a reading just barely above the line dividing expansion and contraction.

Moldmaking Industry Expansion Slows “‘All Around”’ in May

Moldmaking continues on the slowing expansion trend for the month of May according to Gardner Business Intelligence’s latest report on the Moldmaking Index.

What Comes up Must Also Come Down: Moldmaking Industry Expansion Slows

Slowed expansion in April is no surprise for the Gardner Business Index (GBI): Moldmaking, which has vacillated between faster and slower rates for the past year. Component readings may suggest an easing of supply chain holdups.

MMT Chats: Using Data to Build Your Moldmaking Business and Stay on Top of Manufacturing Trends

MoldMaking Technology Editorial Director Christina Fuges chats with Jan Schafer, the Director of Market Research for Gardner Intelligence about her journey into market research, what led her to the world of moldmaking and plastics, the data and services her team offers and details on the premiere of MMT's Top Shops Benchmarking Program. This episode is brought to you by ISCAR with New Ideas for Machining Intelligently.

Moldmaking Industry Continues Upswing in March

The Moldmaking Index has seen a rise of more than six points since the end of 2021, manifested primarily between the months of February and March as new orders, backlog and production continue to accelerate.

Introducing the MoldMaking Technology Top Shops Benchmarking Survey

MoldMaking Technology now has its own benchmarking survey aimed at mold builders to shed light on the technologies and processes that power the moldmaking industry’s most successful shops.

Announcing The First-Ever MoldMaking Technology Top Shops Survey

The free, anonymous survey from MMT adds to Gardner Business Media’s annual program, which aims to assist businesses and offer insight into manufacturing trends.

Accelerating Production Activity Helps Quell Backlog Expansion

November’s 59.1 reading indicates that a greater proportion of moldmakers reported expanding production relative to new orders, a first since April of this year.

Videos Answer Hot-Topic Moldmaking Questions

Eight questions MoldMaking Technology asks industry experts about CNC controls, the changing training landscape, the human resources and marketing keys to workforce development, predictive engineering, data, visual search, OEE monitoring and additive venting.

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