Powell Tool Supply

08/04/2026

Metalforming manufacturers are heading into the next few months with a steady, but cautious, outlook.

According to the Precision Metalforming Association’s July Business Conditions Report:
✅ 65% expect general economic activity to remain unchanged
✅ 24% anticipate an increase in activity
✅ 48% expect incoming orders to remain flat
✅ Nearly one-third expect orders to increase

Although most manufacturers are not forecasting a downturn, higher costs, supply chain challenges, and changing tariff policies continue to complicate decisions around hiring, production, and investment.

Read more with Powell Tool Supply:

Nearly half, meanwhile, expect incoming orders to be flat in the coming months.

07/30/2026

The USMCA remains in place, but the future of North American trade has become less predictable.

After the agreement was not extended for another 16 years, it will now be reviewed annually through 2036 unless the United States, Canada and Mexico reach a new agreement sooner.

The current rules remain unchanged, but future negotiations could affect:
✅ Cross-border supply chains
✅ Steel, aluminum and other material costs
✅ Regional sourcing requirements
✅ Rules of origin and USMCA qualification
✅ Pricing and long-term investment decisions

Industry stakeholders expect the agreement to remain in place, but they also anticipate meaningful changes to how goods are sourced, manufactured and moved across North America.

Read more on the future of USMCA with Powell Tool Supply: https://bit.ly/4g5f4sr

07/28/2026

Demand for metalworking machinery remained strong in May.

New orders reached $583.4 million, up 47.8% compared to May 2025. Through the first five months of the year, orders were up 31.9%.

Much of that growth has been driven by capital investment in the aerospace industry. The increase also suggests manufacturers are preparing for greater production demand and adding capacity.

Read more with Powell Tool Supply:

Orders through the first five months of the year were up nearly 32%.

07/23/2026

Industry leaders cannot prevent every disruption—but they can shape how their teams respond.

Realistic optimism means recognizing the challenges ahead while maintaining confidence that they can be solved. When leaders remain calm, focus on the next step, and reinforce that improvement is possible, teams are more likely to:
✅ Adapt quickly to setbacks
✅ Stay focused on solutions
✅ Take ownership of improvement
✅ Turn ambitious goals into measurable results

Take the optimistic approach and read more with Powell Tool Supply: https://bit.ly/4wdK7c7

07/21/2026

A new bipartisan Senate bill could help protect resources used by small and midsize manufacturers across the country.

The Defend American Manufacturing Act seeks to ensure the continued operation and funding of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program.

The proposed legislation would:
✅ Establish clearer timelines for contract renewals and funding decisions
✅ Help prevent disruptions at local MEP centers
✅ Support productivity, technology adoption and supply chain improvements

Read more with Powell Tool Supply:

The Senate bill is a response to Trump administration attempts to erase the program geared to small and medium-sized manufacturers.

07/16/2026

Familiarity can make even obvious operational problems easy to overlook.

When workarounds, outdated information, safety risks, and inefficient processes become part of the daily routine, they can start to feel normal. Strong lean leadership requires stepping back and looking at the operation with fresh eyes:
✅ Walk the floor with purpose.
✅ Spot effort replacing good design.
✅ Treat discomfort as useful data.
✅ Ask what leadership may be missing.

Sometimes improving an operation starts by slowing down, challenging familiar assumptions, and taking another look.

Read more with Powell Tool Supply: https://bit.ly/4bvrLuT

07/14/2026

Cutting tool demand continues to outpace last year!

The latest Cutting Tool Market Report shows shipments remain strong, even after easing from April's record-setting pace.

✔️ May shipments: $239.8 million
✔️ 15.2% higher than May 2025
✔️ Year-to-date: $1.2 billion (+16.8%)
✔️ Carbide tool costs continue to rise

Strong demand across manufacturing sectors and ongoing raw material shortages remain key trends to watch.

Read more with Powell Tool Supply:

Shipments for the year to date were up 16.8%.

07/09/2026

U.S. manufacturing continued to expand in June, marking the sixth consecutive month of growth, according to the latest report from the Institute for Supply Management.

The report found:
✅ The Manufacturing PMI registered 53.3%, remaining above the 50% expansion threshold.
✅ Production and new orders continued to increase.
✅ Employment contracted while input prices moved higher.
✅ Most manufacturing industries reported growth, with only three sectors posting contraction.

While the pace of growth eased slightly from May, the data points to continued expansion across much of the manufacturing sector.

Get all the details with Powell Tool Supply: https://bit.ly/4aE2MFw

07/07/2026

The future of North American trade remains in focus after the U.S. declined to renew the USMCA in its current form.

While the agreement remains in effect for the next 10 years, it will now be reviewed annually instead of receiving a longer-term extension.

Here's what to know:
▪️Day-to-day trade between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico is unchanged for now.
▪️Future discussions will focus on trade deficits, tariffs, market access, and sector-specific rules.
▪️Business leaders say the added uncertainty could affect long-term investment and supply chain planning.

Get more details with Powell Tool Supply:

The trade pact decision likely will fuel uncertainty for businesses in North America, given the deep integration across supply chains in sectors like automobiles.

07/03/2026

Happy Independence Day from all of us at Powell Tool Supply! 🇺🇸

As America celebrates 250 years, we thought we'd add a little manufacturing trivia to the festivities. 🎇🎆

Think you know your baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and industry? Take the July 4th Quiz: Manufacturing Americana! And let us know how well you did in the comments! 🔗 https://bit.ly/4vHpG74