SW North America, CNC Machines and Automation
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Gardner Business Index: Precision Machining July 2023

Precision machining activity for July was steady with June.

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The Gardner Business Index: Precision Machining ended July with an index of 46.2, about the same as June’s 46.5, which represented a two-point drop versus May.

GBI: Precision Machining component activity saw more of the same in July. Every component slowed expansion or accelerated contraction, with one exception.

  • Exports contracted at a fairly steady rate in July.
  • Backlog, new orders and production continued to contract at a picked-up pace.
  • Production continued to contract, still lagging new orders and backlog, but catching up (or down, as the case may be) is within reach.
  • Supplier deliveries lengthened at a continually slowing rate, making supply chain a non-issue according to GBI.
  • Employment expanded slowly for another month, landing on the cusp of flat.

A longer-term view is more encouraging per a sentiment that is not calculated as part of the GBI — more shops believe business will be up in the next 12 months than believe it will be down.

Precision Machining activity contracted in July, closing at 46.2. Photo Credit: Gardner Intelligence

Supplier deliveries appear to be a non-issue while employment steadily heads toward flat following months of expansion (3-MMA = three-month moving average). Photo Credit: Gardner Intelligence

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