April 2009 reports from 102 Regular Member companies indicate overall business evaluations for April 2009 compared to January 2009 declined from 27 to 17. The three-month projection index increased from 45 to 47. Order backlog increased for 8%, while it remained the same for 23% and 70% experienced backlog declines. On April 2009, average toolroom workweek was 38.4 hours down 2.3 hours from January 1, 2009. During 1Qtr09 toolroom employment decreased from 385 to 359, a 6.8% decrease. Average weekly production hours decreased from 40.1 to 36.0, a 4.1 hour decrease and production employment decreased 11.8%, from 1,538 to 1,356. Plastic Molding showed the strongest business condition evaluation at 42, followed by Molds at 20.

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%.

12 companies report 71 toolroom employees working an average of 38.5 hours per week, the same as for January 2009. Toolroom employment decreased from 75 to 71 (-4.0%) during 1Qtr09. Tool & Die Makers report April business as: Excellent – 0%, Very Good - 8%, Good - 8%, Fair - 25%, Bad - 58%. Business increases over the next 3 months are projected by 33%, while 42% predict no change and 25% see a decline.

5 companies report 18 toolroom employees working an average of 37.4 down 8.5 since January. Toolroom employment decreased from 18 to 17 (-1.0%) during 1Qtr09. Mold Builders report April business to be: Excellent – 0%, Very Good - 0%, Good – 40%Fair - 0%, Bad - 6%. Increased business over the next three months is predicted by 0%, while 100% expect no change and 0% foresee a decline.

38 companies report 114 toolroom employees working an average of 39.8 hours per week, down 1.5 hours since January, and 642 production employees working 33.0 hours per week, down 4.5 hours per week since January. Toolroom employment decreased from 122 to 114 (-6.6%) and production employment decreased from 755 to 642 (-15.0%) during 1Qtr09. April business is reported to be: Excellent - 0%, Very Good - 5%, Good - 3%, Fair - 47%, Bad - 45%. Increased business over the next three months is predicted by 24%, while 45% expect no change and 31% of the responding companies see a decline.

27 companies report 107 toolroom employees working an average of 36.4 hours, down 2.1 hours from January, and 413 production employees working an average of 28.8 hours, down 8.7 since January. Toolroom employment decreased from 119 to 107 (-10.1%) during 1Qtr09 and production employment decreased from 488 to 413 employees (-15.4%). April business is reported to be Excellent – 0%, Very Good - 4%, Good - 0%, Fair – 41%, Bad -56%. Increased business during the next three months is predicted by 15%, while 59% expect no change and 26% of the responding companies see a decline.

Three companies report 9 toolroom employees working an average of 40.0 hours per week and 12 production employees working an average of 34.0 hours. April business is reported to be Excellent – 0%, Very Good - 0%, Good – 67%, Fair - 33%, Bad - 0%. Increased business during the next three months is predicted by 33%, while 67% expect no change and 0% of the responding companies see a decline.

Comments
TOOLS AND DIES *)(%! Politicians ][#@! Taxes @^{!} Gamblers on Wall Street Very slow. We don't see a pick-up until October. MOLDS/DIE CAST DIES It does not take many large jobs to bury a small shop. Maybe this is the beginning of something good. When does the "comeback" start? PRECISION MACHINING/SPECIAL MACHINERY After a down 1st Qtr projections for 2nd Qtr look better. Need to add more customers to help level out the valleys. Stop importing from China. Made in the USA -- "Make it a law!" Does anyone know where to buy tar and feathers? Has to go up; can't get any slower. The economic decisions in Washington D.C. will destroy the American dream! Business decline is significant for us and our contacts. Government's negative messages and overspending have sunk the aircraft business and put into question the military market. Trying to find the breakeven $ amount -- hate cutting good people who we have invested in over the years. Bring the work home from China. That will put people back to work. 2009 will be a difficult year for all of us!		Let us pray! Very, very slow! How long can any of us last with things being like they are! Down 45% from last year. METAL STAMPING/FABRICATION If question 6 were to have asked to compare 2008 (month to month) quoting, shipments, backlog & profits would all be down. Still hanging in there. This depression needs to end soon. Business as bad as after 9/11. The economy stinks; a lot of business is on hold. Our employment staff went from 30 down to 16. Quotes for NEW tools & dies have gone up, but production quotes remain the same. We are optimistic that we will be getting some of these new tools to build. In 30 years I have not seen a drop in sales like this!!! Hope this is the bottom. PLASTIC MOLDING No comments. OTHER Where is my stimulus bailout check? The new administration scares the hell out of me. HELP. Where is the small business bail-out! Difficult times ahead. 2008 profits were $1M and 2009 will be breakeven. Business went from bad to worse to miserable.