HEAT TREAT ECONOMIC NEWS Archives

Heat Treat Economy Continues Strong Per IHEA Monthly Report

April 29, 2019 / FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT ECONOMIC NEWS

Of the eleven economic indices reported on monthly by the Industrial Heating Equipment Association for the benefit of its member companies, four of the indices showed upward growth while only a few dropped significantly. All others remained relatively unchanged.

The four upward trending indices included PMI New Orders, Automobile and Light Truck Sales, Metal Prices, and the Credit Managers Index. The IHEA report, supplied monthly to IHEA member companies, goes into detail on the significance of these upward movements dedicating one full page of the report to each of eleven indices.

Indices not faring so well included Capital Expenditures, Durable Goods Orders, Factory Orders, and Home Starts. Most of the non-positive moving indices saw only slight decreases.

For a full copy of the report, contact Anne Goyer, Executive Director of the IHEA by clicking here.

IHEA Annual Meeting Kicks Off in Florida

Leaders from the heat treating and thermal processing industry are meeting this week at Lido Beach Resort in Florida, USA. This three-day industry meeting, organized by IHEA, attracts leaders from heat treat furnace manufacturers, heat treat component suppliers, and providers of heat treating supplies and consumables. This year’s meeting features discussions on heat treating and cybersecurity, an update on the impact of Washington’s policies on the heat treating industry, as well as an in-depth look at the above mentioned economic indices from IHEA’s economist.

Registration Open for NFPA 86 Update Seminar

IHEA Lido Beach Resort Spring Meeting April 2019

IHEA’s next educational event will be an NFPA 86 Update Seminar being held on May 14th from 9:00-3:00 at the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association in Elgin, Illinois. For more information, contact Anne Goyer, Executive Director of IHEA by clicking here.

Heat Treat Economy Continues Strong Per IHEA Monthly Report Read More »

Where’s the Heat Treat Economy Headed: Up, Down, Flat?

March 29, 2019 / FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT ECONOMIC NEWS

Finding the right metric to measure the ubiquitous heat treat economy is like trying to take the temperature of the ocean. It can be hot in some spots, cold in others, and an average temperature really doesn’t help anyone. Finding economic data that can help suppliers to the heat treat industry plan future business fluctuations is all but impossible. Industrial Heating magazine has been publishing its Economic Indicators for well over a decade. This is one of the best sources for heat treat-specific economic data freely available to the public. Click here for the latest numbers from Industrial Heating.

The Industrial Heating Equipment Association (IHEA) provides a monthly Executive Economic Summary to their members as well. According to the most recent report from IHEA, the signals are mixed as to where the heat treat economy is headed. Below are a few highlights. To access the full report, please contact Anne Goyer, Executive Director of IHEA by clicking here.

Factory Orders — headed up.
Durable Goods — headed up.
Transportation Index — headed up.
Steel Consumption — headed up.

All of the above indices are headed north, but exactly what impact does each have on the heat treat industry?

Industrial Capacity Utilization — headed down.
Metal Prices — softening.
Purchasing Managers Index — down.
Capital Expenditures — down.

Likewise, these four indices headed south but their impact on the heat treat industry is not easily discernible.

A more complete understanding of the direct impact of the above eight (8) indices plus three (3) others on the heat treat industry can be gained by the analysis provided in the IHEA Executive Economic Summary report. The monthly report dedicates one page to each of eleven (11) heat treat-related indices with in-depth analysis by IHEA’s contracted economist.

In my eyes, the data and analysis provided by IHEA is one of the most valuable pieces of economic heat treat data a heat treat industry supplier can have.

Contact Anne Goyer for more information on this report.

Where’s the Heat Treat Economy Headed: Up, Down, Flat? Read More »

Heat Treat Economic Report Continues Strong

February 28, 2019 / FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT ECONOMIC NEWS

Nine of eleven economic indicators from the monthly Industrial Heating Equipment Association (IHEA) were up in January. That miffed some who thought the industry was starting to soften. In fact, it is not conclusive one way or the other, but January’s numbers showed strength and surprisingly strong upward movements from a vast majority of the indices.

Graph of Capital Expenditures — Capital Expenditures for January were up significantly

Graph of Durable Goods orders. — Durable Goods orders were strong in January

The numbers, which we will dive a bit deeper into below, are provided monthly to members of the IHEA along with a 12-page report that digs into each index and how movement in that index will specifically impact the thermal processing industry. Anyone interested in receiving the report should contact Anne Goyer, Executive Director of IHEA, whose contact information is given at the end of this post.

Which indices were up? As mentioned earlier, nearly all of them.

New Home Starts took a significant jump.
Steel Consumption was up significantly.
Industrial Capacity Utilization was also up from the previous month.
Metal prices (aluminum, gold, nickel, copper) were also up.
The PMI was up significantly.
Capital Expenditures took a huge jump upward.
Durable Goods saw modest growth.
Factory orders rebounded from a previous month’s dip.
Transportation Index experienced a nice rebound after falling for several months.

The only two indices that did not improve were:

New Automobile and Light Truck Sales were essentially flat falling only slightly.
Credit Movement was significantly down

According to the IHEA report, this downward movement in the credit index causes one to pause and question whether 2019 will be as robust as 2018.

Further analysis of each of these 11 indices can be obtained from Anne Goyer, Executive Director at IHEA, who can be reached at anne@goyermgt.com.

Heat Treat Economic Report Continues Strong Read More »

Registration Opens for IHEA’s 2019 Annual Meeting

February 5, 2019 / HEAT TREAT ECONOMIC NEWS

IHEA’s 2019 Annual Meeting Celebrates 90 Years

[button link=”https://www.ihea.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?alias=AM19″ size=”default” icon=”Select a Icon” side=”left” target=”” color=”b70900″ textcolor=”ffffff”]Register Now[/button]

Bob Sherlock CMO of Chief Outsiders will discuss “The Power of Value” at IHEA’s 90th Anniversary Annual Meeting in Sarasota, FL.

Registration has opened for the Industrial Heating Equipment Association 2019 Annual Meeting, where the organization will celebrate its 90th anniversary. The annual meeting, which this year will be 29 – May 1 at Lido Beach Resort in Sarasota, FL., provides plenty of opportunities to get involved with important industry-related developments while exploring new business contacts and growing relationships. provides plenty of opportunities to get involved with important industry-related developments while exploring new business contacts and growing relationships. IHEA members will enjoy the camaraderie created by the ever-popular social events and thought-provoking presentations.

The program will feature a dynamic presentation by Bob Sherlock, CMO of Chief Outsiders. Mr. Sherlock’s presentation, “The Power of Value,” will highlight why members should be paid for the value of their products and services rather than lowering prices to appease customers. Attendees will also hear from IHEA’s economist Chris Kuehl with his lively update on the economy, as well as a report from Omar Nashashibi from The Franklin Partnership, who lobbies in Washington D.C. on behalf of manufacturing trade associations. Mr. Nashashibi will offer insight to the government shutdown and latest developments on critical policies that will help companies plan for the unpredictable future.

IHEA members will gain valuable knowledge on cybersecurity and how to prolong the inevitable of being hacked. Chris Della Mora of HUB International Risk Services and James Moore of Goyer Management International team up to provide this critical session for anyone who uses the internet. The program also includes a presentation from IHEA member Scott Bishop with Alabama Power on the benefits of partnering with utility companies.

IHEA’s committees will meet in Sarasota as they continue to work on issues of importance to the membership and the industry at large. And the annual golf outing and beach games will provide the perfect social experience to round out the meeting agenda. Review the complete program and event details online here (or copy and paste: www.ihea.org/event/AM19).

Hotel reservations at the Lido Beach Resort can be made by clicking here. The group rate for junior suites is $209.00/night. Please book hotel reservations now to ensure you receive our group rate.

Photo caption: AM2019 Presentation – IHEA’s annual meeting presentations address timely topics and thought-provoking information for all members.

Registration Opens for IHEA’s 2019 Annual Meeting Read More »

Heat Treat Prospects: Short Term, Good; Long-Term, Questionable

January 31, 2019 / FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT ECONOMIC NEWS

The final 2018 monthly economic report from the Industrial Heating Equipment Association (IHEA) was released earlier this month and reveals five indices trending upward and six trending downward. According to IHEA’s economist, the six trending downward are more long-term-looking while the five upward trending indices are more short-term-looking. The report suggests that it would be safe to conclude that the economy is softening and may start to slow in growth before the end of 2019.

Three of the biggest dippers were the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) which “. . . crashed hard this month,” according to the report, the Credit Managers Index, and the Transportation Index. The full report offers a more complete analysis of these three indices.

Moving in a positive direction were new home starts, capacity utilization, capital expenditures, durable goods, and factory orders.

Each of the eleven indices receives a full page analysis as well as commentary on how the changes in that index may affect the thermal processing/heat treating industry.

To receive a complete copy of this month’s report, contact IHEA Executive Director, Anne Goyer, by email.

Heat Treat Prospects: Short Term, Good; Long-Term, Questionable Read More »

IHEA 2019 Annual Meeting To Coincide with 90th Anniversary

December 21, 2018 / HEAT TREAT ECONOMIC NEWS

IHEA will celebrate its 90th anniversary at the 2019 Annual Meeting scheduled April 29-May 1 at the Lido Beach Resort in Sarasota, Florida. IHEA members look forward to the camaraderie created by the social events and the thought-provoking presentations the meeting offers. There are also plenty of opportunities to get involved with important industry-related developments while exploring new business contacts and growing relationships.

The IHEA Welcome Reception will kick off the event on the pool deck overlooking Lido Beach and the Gulf of Mexico. The program follows with relevant keynote sessions and committee meetings to discuss association business. Sprinkle in a more “laid back” annual president’s gala, a golf tournament and discovering local attractions, and it’s the perfect mix of business and pleasure. It’s a great way to keep current with industry trends and keep in touch with peers. A previous annual meeting attendee stated, “The IHEA Annual Meeting was thoughtfully structured; we learned a lot, made some new friends and business connections and had fun doing it!”

The beautiful resort is located on one of Florida’s best beaches, featuring soft white sand that stretches for miles. The resort is close to world-famous Siesta Key beach, often voted the best beach in the U.S. The Lido Beach Resort is also just minutes from the very popular St. Armand’s Circle, filled with restaurants and shops and accessible by resort shuttle or a short five-minute walk.

Complete meeting details and registration information can be found at www.ihea.org in early 2019. We hope to see you in Sarasota next April.

IHEA 2019 Annual Meeting To Coincide with 90th Anniversary Read More »

IHEA Report Suggests Continued Growth in 2019 Even with Severe Political Divide

December 20, 2018 / FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT ECONOMIC NEWS

The monthly Executive Economic Summary published by the Industrial Heating Equipment Association showed slowing growth in November. Nonetheless, the report suggests that the economy will continue to grow steadily in 2019 despite a moderation of growth rates.

Here are a few highlights from the report which is made available in its entirety to IHEA members each month:

Indexes moving up included:

Car and light truck sales have increased slightly. This index was expected to drop significantly earlier this year and never did.
Housing starts continued to grow but more slowly than in previous months.
Steel consumption continues to be strong.
Metal prices also remain steady or increasing.
Capital investment — up.
Credit index — also up.

Those indices that retreated include:

Capacity utilization. Still slightly below 80 which is where economists like to see it. Nonetheless, this number is still quite high compared to recent months.
Purchasing managers index also slipped but continues to show significant growth.
Durable goods orders — down
Factory goods orders — down
Transportation index — down

Although a number of indexes were down, almost all continue to show growth or slight levels of economic contraction.

The 12-page report dives deeply into the above 11 indexes dedicating a complete page to each index.

The complete report is available to IHEA member companies. To obtain a copy of the report, please contact Anne Goyer, Executive Vice President of the Industrial Heating Equipment Association (www.ihea.org). You can email Anne by clicking here.

IHEA Report Suggests Continued Growth in 2019 Even with Severe Political Divide Read More »

IHEA Monthly Economic Indices — 5 Up, 7 Down

December 3, 2018 / FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT ECONOMIC NEWS

Vehicle sales, durable goods orders, capacity utilization, and factory orders were four of the five indices trending upward.

Housing, metal prices, capital expenditures, and the purchasing manager’s index were among the seven indices that suffered in October. According to IHEA’s economist, the most disturbing of the declining indexes is the decline in the Purchasing Manager’s Index, which was more than anticipated. Overall, however, all of the declining numbers are still well above historic averages showing that the economy continues to be strong.

“. . . but it is important to note that even with the declines in some sectors, the overall status of these readings remains higher than it had been in several years.”

~ Excerpt from IHEA’s Monthly Executive Economic Summary

The Purchasing Managers Index took a significant dip in October.

Automobile and light truck sales continue to be strong in October.

Analysis of all 12 indices is presented monthly to IHEA member companies and is available by contacting Ann Goyer at ann@goyermgt.com or at (941) 373-1830.

IHEA Monthly Economic Indices — 5 Up, 7 Down Read More »

Manufacturing Growth at Risk Due to Jobs Growth?

November 9, 2018 / HEAT TREAT ECONOMIC NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS INDUSTRIES

Source: ThomasNet.com

Jobs in abundant supply are a great thing, says Anna Wells of ThomasNet.com, and the evidence is in the reports of growing manufacturing and declining unemployment, noting the recent Department of Labor jobs report that job openings outpace unemployed people. But how might this hamper growth within the manufacturing sector and the economy as a whole?

Watch this video from ThomasNet and then click here or on the image below for more on this story.

Manufacturing Growth at Risk Due to Jobs Growth? Read More »

9 of 11 Indices Up in IHEA Economic Report

October 31, 2018 / FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT ECONOMIC NEWS

According to IHEA’s monthly economic report to member companies, nine of the eleven indices are up and the only two that are not up are still quite strong. To get the weak indices out of the way, here they are: Purchasing Managers Index (which is still quite high), and the Transportation Activity Index (which also is quite high). Both showed slippage in September, but neither is a focus of worry.

PMI for September showed slight reductions, but is still strong overall.

Transportation Activity Index was slightly off for September, but still quite strong.

On the lead page of the report, the following summary paragraph appears:

The nine categories that ended up in positive territory include “new automobile/light truck sales” and this reflects the fact that consumers are still quite confident about their job security and have no issue with taking on debt to buy a new car or truck. The “new home sales” category is healthy, although it is important to note that there is a deepening division between the cities that are seeing growth between 20% and 40% and the those that are shrinking. It has all come down to which cities are generating jobs. The existing home market has not been quite as lively as the new home sector and it is much the larger of the two. The “steel consumption” category is still reflecting the desire on the part of steel consumers to hoard cheaper steel, but there has also been evidence of returning steel demand in everything from vehicles to pipelines to construction activity. The “metal prices” readings are all going up and that has been anticipated for some time. The only one that hasn’t is gold and that would suggest that fewer people are seeking shelter from inflation in this metal. The other industrial metals are all going up in response to increased demand.

The 12-page report goes on to offer in-depth analysis of all 11 indices and what impact each might have on the thermal processing industry. The full report is available for review from the Industrial Heating Equipment Association (www.ihea.org) and is an exclusive benefit of membership in the organization. If you’re interested in seeing a copy of the report, contact Anne Goyer, Executive Director of IHEA at Anne@GoyerMgt.com.

9 of 11 Indices Up in IHEA Economic Report Read More »

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