Powell Tool Supply

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 Powell Tool Supply: 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 Powell Tool Supply

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 Powell Tool Supply: 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 Powell Tool Supply: 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

Read more with Powell Tool Supply:

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.

05/08/2026

Some of the strongest people we know answer to “Mom.” 💐

Thank you for the care, support, and hard work you bring every day. Happy Mother’s Day weekend from all of us at Powell Tool Supply!

05/07/2026

Workplace conflict is inevitable in fast-moving operations. The most common issues show up in five key areas and knowing how to handle them is what keeps teams productive.

1️⃣ When there’s a cross-cultural conflict
Miscommunication isn’t always personal. Recognizing cultural differences early helps prevent tension from disrupting deals and day-to-day collaboration

2️⃣ When people feel slighted
Small actions can trigger bigger reactions. Addressing negative behavior at the source helps stop the cycle before it spreads across the team

3️⃣ When leaders overlook inequity
Gaps in pay, recognition, or opportunity often go unnoticed. Taking a closer look at internal processes helps surface issues before they impact morale

4️⃣ When bad news breeds bad behavior
Uncertainty can quickly lead to disengagement. Clear, honest communication builds trust and keeps teams focused during challenging periods

5️⃣ When competing against former teams
Familiarity creates an edge. Understanding how others operate can uncover opportunities to improve and outperform

Strong teams don’t avoid conflict. They know how to handle it.

Learn more about how effective leadership turns conflict into progress with Powell Tool Supply: https://bit.ly/4tV1X2F