Kaufman Company, Inc.

06/09/2026

A new OECD report warns that prolonged disruption of Middle East energy supplies could slow global economic growth and increase inflation worldwide.

According to the report:
🔹 Global growth could slow to 2.1% this year and 1.8% in 2027 under a prolonged disruption scenario
🔹 About 20% of the world’s crude oil, fuel products, and natural gas supplies have been affected by reduced traffic through the Strait of Hormuz
🔹 Asian economies dependent on Gulf energy supplies are expected to face the largest impact
🔹 The OECD also noted heightened risks for lower-income countries heavily reliant on imported fuel

The organization said global growth levels under the prolonged disruption scenario would approach those seen during the COVID-19 pandemic and the late-2000s financial crisis.

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The consequences of sharply higher energy prices and inflation would be felt around the world.

06/04/2026

Manufacturing momentum continues to build.

The latest ISM Manufacturing PMI climbed to 54% in May, reaching its highest level in four years and marking the fifth straight month of expansion for the sector.

What’s driving the increase:
✅ New orders continued to climb
✅ Production activity accelerated
✅ Order backlogs expanded again
✅ The overall economy extended its growth streak to 19 months

While employment remains just below expansion territory, the broader manufacturing outlook continues to point toward steady industrial demand and ongoing activity across the market.

Get full insights with Kaufman Company: https://bit.ly/4uPJODC

06/02/2026

U.S. cutting tool shipments reached $259.3M in March 2026, marking a 24.6% increase year-over-year and the strongest monthly total on record.

First-quarter shipments also climbed 15.9% compared to 2025, signaling continued momentum across manufacturing and machine shop activity.

Industry leaders point to strong order volumes and increased production demand, while also warning about rising raw material costs, supply concerns, and potential buy-ahead purchasing ahead of future price increases.

Cutting tool consumption remains one of the clearest indicators of real manufacturing activity, making this a trend worth watching closely.

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Shipments in the first quarter were up more than 15% year-over-year.

05/28/2026

Most transformation programs don’t fail because of strategy or technology. They fail because leadership never fully owns the process.

What the data is showing:
🔸80% of transformation programs fail
🔸84% of failures are leadership-related
🔸73% of failed initiatives lacked executive alignment on success metrics
🔸56% lost active C-suite sponsorship within six months

Manufacturers that improved leadership accountability and operating structure reported major operational gains, including a 42% increase in asset uptime, a 5% reduction in labor costs, and a 700 basis point EBITDA improvement across 28 facilities.

Read more with Kaufman Company: https://bit.ly/4dIEjzq

05/26/2026

The United Nations lowered its 2026 global GDP forecast from 2.7% to 2.5% following rising oil prices and continued Middle East disruptions.

Global growth forecasts are slipping. Energy markets are feeling the pressure. Industrial supply chains are watching closely.

A few major takeaways:
✅ Global inflation now projected at 3.9%
✅ Europe expected to face heavier energy strain
✅ U.S. growth forecast remains stable at 2%
✅ China and India continue showing stronger resilience

Energy costs. Transportation costs. Market uncertainty. All still shaping industrial markets worldwide in 2026.

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A "more adverse scenario" would see one of the weakest growth rates this century.

05/22/2026

Long weekend mode: ON. ☀️🇺🇸

As Memorial Day weekend begins, we’re wishing everyone a safe, relaxing holiday while remembering the men and women who served and sacrificed for our country.

Happy Memorial Day weekend from all of us at Kaufman Company

05/21/2026

Workplace safety is evolving beyond physical hazards alone.

As manufacturing operations become more digital, companies are also facing the growing challenge of “technostress” caused by rapid technological change, evolving workflows, and increased mental strain on employees.

Some important points highlighted in the article:
✅ Safety culture must remain a core company value
✅ Managers play a critical role in identifying burnout early
✅ Mental health and wellness programs are becoming essential
✅ Training and employee support are key during digital transformation
✅ Strong psychosocial work environments can improve retention and engagement

Modern manufacturing safety is now both physical and psychological.

Read more with Kaufman Company: https://bit.ly/4dAhjme

05/19/2026

Retail spending is still growing, but consumers are becoming more selective about where their money goes.

April retail sales rose 0.5%, slowing from March’s 1.6% jump as higher gas prices continued to pressure household budgets.

Some notable shifts from the latest data:
✅ Department store sales fell 3.2%
✅ Furniture and home furnishing sales dropped 2%
✅ Online retail and electronics sales remained strong
✅ Restaurant spending still increased 0.6%
✅ Higher tax refunds helped offset rising fuel costs, for now

Economists are warning that consumer spending could weaken further in the coming months as refund season fades and energy prices continue climbing.

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And economists worry that spending will fall off more dramatically in the coming months.

05/14/2026

A new cybersecurity report from Ontinue found underground marketplace listings for stolen credentials surged 72%, as attackers increasingly “log in” using stolen identities instead of forcing their way through traditional defenses.

What's being observed in these attacks:
✅ Growing use of AI to accelerate malware development
✅ Continued ransomware escalation
✅ Increasing supply chain vulnerabilities
✅ More sophisticated extortion tactics

The biggest takeaway? Identity has become the new perimeter.

Security experts are urging organizations to strengthen identity management, tighten access controls, and improve real-time threat detection as attackers continue evolving faster and operating at greater scale.

Read more with Kaufman Company: https://bit.ly/4dlbzwh

05/12/2026

U.S. employers added 115,000 jobs in April, nearly double the 65,000 forecasters expected.

📦 Transportation & warehousing: +30,000 jobs
🏥 Healthcare: +37,000 jobs
🏗️ Construction: +9,000 jobs
🏭 Manufacturing: -2,000 jobs (down 66,000 over the past year)

Job growth is picking up from a weak 2025, when employers averaged just 9,700 new jobs per month. So far in 2026, that average is 76,000.

Growth is encouraging, but significant challenges remain:
✅ Inflation reached 3.3% in March, a two-year high
✅ Gas prices have surpassed $4.50/gallon following Strait of Hormuz disruptions
✅ The Fed is expected to hold rates steady, with cuts unlikely near-term
✅ Manufacturing continues to shed jobs despite tariff protections

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Manufacturers cut 2,000 jobs in April and have shed 66,000 jobs over the past year despite President Trump's policies aimed at creating factory jobs.