April 2008 reports from 76 Regular Member companies indicate overall business evaluations for April ‘08 compared to January ‘08 decreased from 43 to 41. The three-month projection index decreased from 56 to 55. Order backlog increased for 18%, while it remained the same for 37% and 45% experienced backlog declines. On April 1, 2008 average toolroom workweek was 43.3 hours up 0.2 hours from January 1, 2008. During 1Qtr08 toolroom employment dropped from 326 to 315, a 3.4% decrease. Average weekly production hours decreased from 43.8 hours to 43.2 hours, a 0.6 hour decrease and production employment decreased 3.1%, from 1,322 to 1,281. Tool & Die showed the strongest business condition evaluation at 50 (up from 31) followed by Precision Machining/Special Machines at 47 (down from 48).

Trend Factors by Industry Group

Companies have been divided into product and service groups. Percentages are based on the number of companies in each group that reported the specified factor to be "Up, Same or Down" when compared to the beginning of the quarter. Values in the following tables are percentages of responding companies. Due to rounding, not all totals will equal 100%.

7 companies report 38 toolroom employees working an average of 41.6 hours per week, down 0.2 hours from January 2008. Toolroom employment declined from 39 to 38 (-2.56%) during 1Qtr08. Tool & Die Makers report April business as: Excellent – 29%, Very Good - 0%, Good - 43%, Fair - 0%, Bad - 29%. Business increases over the next 3 months are projected by 43%, while 29% predict no change and 29% see a decline.

5 companies report 39 toolroom employees working an average of 44.7 hours per week – down 1.8 hours since January. Toolroom employment decreased from 40 to 39 (-2.5%) during 1Qtr08. Mold Builders report January business to be: Excellent – 0%, Very Good - 20%, Good - 20%, Fair - 20%, Bad - 40%. Increased business over the next three months is predicted by 40%, while 40% expect no change and 20% see a decline.

24 companies report 92 toolroom employees working an average of 46.1 hours per week, up 1.3 hours since January, and 436 production employees working 45.9 hours per week, up 0.6 hours per week since January. Toolroom employment remained at 92 and production employment decreased from 440 to 436 (-0.9%) during 1Qtr08. April business is reported to be: Excellent - 8%, Very Good - 13%, Good - 46%, Fair - 25%, Bad - 8%. Increased business over the next three months is predicted by 29%, while 54% expect no change and 17% of the responding companies see a decline.

32 companies report 130 toolroom employees working an average of 40.4 hours per week down 0.8 hours from January, and 756 production employees working an average of 39.9 hours, down 1.3 hours since January. Toolroom employment declined from 137 to 130 (-5.16%) during 1Qtr08 and production employment declined from 786 to 756 employees (-3.8%). April business is reported to be Excellent – 3%, Very Good - 6%, Good - 44%, Fair – 34%, Bad - 4%. Increased business during the next three months is predicted by 31%, while 53% expect no change and 16% of the responding companies see a decline.

Only one company responded in this category.

Comments
TOOLS AND DIES I look for more tooling to be released, July - August. Quoting on it now? This month we had to turn down 25% of our average month's sales because of delivery contraints. Yet, the next month has precious little backlog. Very slow MOLDS/DIE CAST DIES HELP! PRECISION MACHINING SPECIAL MACHINERY Our only problem is the proverbial one of - scarcity of skilled help! With 2nd and 3rd shifts increasingly harder to staff. What recession??? The sky is falling. Seeing a drop in activity overall. Some sectors still going strong though. The slow down is not universal at this time. Money is tight. Payments (accounts receivables) previously made in 10 - 20 days, are now at 35 days. Payments previously made in 30 - 45 days, are being made in 65 - 70 days. Payments previously being made in 60 days, are being made in 90 - 120 days. METAL STAMPING/FABRICATION Active advertising campaign has led to an increased sales growth. February was slow Capacity is our only enemy for the time being.		Steady, with a lot of quoting with some real good opportunities. New tool orders have been about 2-3 per month, with production. METAL STAMPING/FABRICATION (continued) Steel prices are out of sight - when will it end? Raw material price (steel) is jeopardizing the viability of staying in business. Sales are down due to China. Worst economy of my adult life, but not giving up yet! Overseas element is killing us. PLASTIC MOLDING Insurance & utilities costs have gone up. OTHER We are continuing to process improvements and to purchase more efficient equipment with an optimistic view. I believe if we hang in there, it will get better - even much, much better. The time frame is about 1 - 2 years before we see it. Back to 2001? Things are slower. Worse March in 5 years!