Surging North American Plastics Market Bodes Well for Amerimold 2021

COVID-19 restrictions are lifting, the workplace is slowly returning to some form of normality and the amount of in-person events scheduled or postponed for fall 2021 are abundant and overwhelming. If you’re still not sure why the Amerimold Expo, co-located with the Molding and Extrusion conferences, is THE event to be at this September, maybe these recent market reports and COVID-19 restriction updates will help guide your decision.

According to recent market reports from Gardner Intelligence Chief Data Officer Steve Kline, manufacturing is steadily recovering and it’s being felt across several areas. In May 2021, for example, all but two industries recorded an index of 50 or more in the same month for the third consecutive month, indicating that the manufacturing recovery is widespread. Kline notes that this is the most widespread growth in this industry since the Gardner Business Index (GBI) began in 2011.

For example, machine tool orders grew at 0.9% in March, an industry that Kline says has not grown at an annual rate since July 2019 (see “March Machine Tool Orders Most Since March 2019”), with orders expected to continue growing through the remainder of 2021 and into 2022. Recovery is further emphasized by the near record-level growth in new orders, production and backlogs seen by the GBI: Moldmaking Index in May of this year, reaching an all-time high of 62.3. In regards to planned spending by moldmaking facilities, forecasts note that the average moldmaking shop in May planned to spend $587,000 per facility on capital equipment in the next 12 months, which is near the highest level of planned spending by moldmaking shops in more than two years.

Recovery is also being felt in day-to-day activities. Illinois’ Governor J.B. Pritzker announced on June 11 that the state is transitioning into Phase 5 of their Restore Illinois framework. Per the announcement, all business types, large-scale events—like Amerimold—conventions, amusement parks, seated spectator events, among others, are allowed to operate at full capacity since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Overall, Amerimold, Extrusion and Molding staff are highly focused on providing a safe and comfortable show experience for the mold manufacturing industry to return to learning from industry experts, experiencing emerging technology and making the lasting business connections to propel businesses forward for the next several years.

Has this convinced you? If not, don’t forget the ample networking opportunities, from receptions to happy hours and Amerimold’s Leadtime Leader Awards the show will offer, the education opportunities and, most importantly, Amerimold’s ability to bring the mold manufacturing marketplace together under one roof.