Heat Treat Today has gathered the four heat treat industry-specific economic indicators for April 2025. While March showed a positive outlook, this month is indicating a change.
April’s industry-specific economic indicators continued to show growth in two of the four indices while two others have slipped into contraction. Both the Bookings and Backlog indices continue to show growth however at a significantly slower pace compared to March. The Bookings index fell from 58.8 in March to 52.0 this month and the Backlog index fell from 59.3 to 53.3. Any number above 50 indicates growth.
Slipping just below the index number of 50, indicating contraction, were both the Inquiries index and the Health of the Manufacturing Economy index. The former fell from a very strong 61.1 to 49.0, while the later dropped slightly from 50.0 to 47.2.
The graphs suggest that the North American thermal processing industry is experiencing a 4-month slowdown that started in roughly December 2024.
Please note that the above data was collected just prior to tariff announcements by the Trump White House. Next month’s data should show the effect of those tariffs.
The results from this month’s survey (April) are as follows; numbers above 50 indicate growth, numbers below 50 indicate contraction, and the number 50 indicates no change:
- Anticipated change in Number of Inquiries from March to April: 49.0
- Anticipated change in Value of Bookings from March to April: 52.0
- Anticipated change in Size of Backlog from March to April: 53.3
- Anticipated change in Health of the Manufacturing Economy from March to April: 47.2
Data for April 2025
The four index numbers are reported monthly by Heat Treat Today and made available on the website.
Heat Treat Today’s Economic Indicators measure and report on four heat treat industry indices. Each month, approximately 800 individuals who classify themselves as suppliers to the North American heat treat industry receive the survey. Above are the results. Data started being collected in June 2023. If you would like to participate in the monthly survey, please click here to subscribe.
