October 2009 reports from 90 Regular Member companies indicate overall business evaluations for October 2009 compared to July 2009 increased slightly 19 to 24. The three-month projection index increased from 52 to 55. Order backlog increased for 27% (up from 22% reporting increases in July); while it remained the same for 36% and 38% experienced backlog declines. On October 1, 2009, average toolroom workweek was 41.8 hours up 1.8 from July 1, 2009. During 3Qtr09 toolroom employment decreased from 387.5 to 384.5, a 3.0% decrease. Average weekly production hours increased from 37.3 to 38.8 hours, a 1.5 hour increase and production employment decreased 0.6% from 1,451 to 1,442. Plastic Molding showed the strongest business condition evaluation at 50 followed by Tool & Die at 25.

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%.

10 companies report 49 toolroom employees working an average of 42.6 hours per week, up 6.5 hours from July 2009. Toolroom employment decreased from 51 to 49 (-3.9%) during 3Qtr09. Tool & Die Makers report October business as: Excellent - 0%, Very Good - 20%, Good - 10%, Fair - 20%, Bad - 50%. Business increases over the next 3 months are projected by 20%, while 70% predict no change and 10% see a decline.

6 companies report 76 toolroom employees working an average of 44.5 hours up 4.1 hours since July. Toolroom employment increased from 73 to 76 (+3.0%) during 3Qtr09. Mold Builders report October business to be: Excellent - 0%, Very Good - 0%, Good - 33% Fair - 17%, Bad - 50%. Increased business over the next three months is predicted by 67%, while 33% expect no change and 0% foresee a decline.

39 companies report 150.5 toolroom employees working an average of 41.4 hours per week, down 0.3 hours since July, and 789 production employees working 39.4 hours per week, up 2.6 hours per week since July. Toolroom employment decreased from 153.5 to 150.5 (-2.0%) and production employment decreased from 793 to 789 (-0.5%) during 3Qtr09. October business is reported to be: Excellent - 8%, Very Good - 5%, Good - 3%, Fair - 44%, Bad - 41%. Increased business over the next three months is predicted by 31%, while 49% expect no change and 21% of the responding companies see a decline.

18 companies report 81 working an average of 38.2, up 1.2 hours from July, and 322 production employees working an average of 36.8 hours, up 6.8 hours since July. Toolroom employment remained the same at 81 (+0.0%) during 3Qtr09 and production employment increased from 318 to 322 employees (+1.3%). October business is reported to be Excellent - 6%, Very Good - 0%, Good - 11%, Fair - 33%, Bad -50%. Increased business during the next three months is predicted by 39%, while 56% expect no change and 6% of the responding companies see a decline.

Four companies report 4 toolroom employees working an average of 40.0 hours per week and 58 production employees working an average of 40.0 hours. October business is reported to be Excellent - 0%, Very Good - 25%, Good - 50%, Fair - 25%, Bad - 0%. Increased business during the next three months is predicted by 75%, while 25% expect no change and 0% of the responding companies see a decline.

Comments
TOOLS AND DIES Cautiously optimistic. We've seen a recent surge in orders. Much of the increase is from automotive. Might see a slow down again after this surge passes. Worst economic climate I have seen in 39 years!!! No positive pick-up of work yet - maybe January. One large customer transferring 80% of their production dept. to Mexico (two plants involved). MOLDS/DIE CAST DIES How long will it take for our government to realize that jobs need to come back from overseas? PRECISION MACHINING/SPECIAL MACHINERY Not willing to commit to new employees yet-using temps. Reinstated 2nd shift to improve deliveries. Volume work on decline, but activity good on variety of work from more accounts, emphasizing increase in "job shop" work. Here it comes. Although we retained all our people, all worked fewer hours in July. Starting to see some moderate pickup in the 1st qtr. Calendar 2010. We must work together as a country like we have in the past, when our backs were against the wall. Quit scapegoating poor people (ACORN) and look at the people who stole us blind, the financial industry. I don't look to get better for awhile (2012). Lousy, Lousy, Lousy! Showing signs; not as bad. There is a sudden downtrend. Getting new work - but no volume in it! Disappointed that we don't see any real recovery with next 6-9 months. We have customers that are talking about upcoming projects, just can't seem to get anyone to pull the trigger to get things going.		After a brutal summer can it get any worse? Looking for a light at the end of the tunnel - hopefully not that of the oncoming train. Forget healthcare. How about tending to the economy. The last four weeks have been extremely slow. July & Aug. orders were up- Sept. down - living qtr. to qtr. I love my country, not my government. I love changes, I don't have to work. How about a stimulus for mfg. and no property tax for 1 year. Projection - Can't go lower. At the end of our rope...when will this end? Can the US really not need manufacturing? METAL STAMPING/FABRICATION I believe the worst is behind us! Sept. & Oct. up 20%. Is it sustainable? Stimulate me. Uncertainty of future costs & economic stability is causing companies - customers to put off investments & projects. The clowns in Washington are totally out of touch as to what business requires to survive!! Capitalism, left unchecked will consume itself. PLASTIC MOLDING 3rd Qtr. was OK. 4th Qtr. doesn't look as good. Tool sales down 20% from last year and '08 was down 10% from '07. OTHER Business is still not good but there are signs of things getting better. Signs of stability. Not so volatile week-to-week. Mfg. needs to have a lot of help from the government - need to have access to $$.