Demand for stampers
Demand is mixed but stabilizing; U.S. manufacturing remains just below breakeven. Steel HRC has eased into the mid-$800s/short ton range while LME aluminum trades near ~$2,600/ton. Shops continue shifting toward servo presses, in-die sensing, and AI-assisted inspection. Trade and tariff volatility is the swing risk heading into fall.
Market pulse
U.S. factory activity contracted again in July with the ISM Manufacturing PMI at 48, signaling slight contraction even as production ticked higher. Meanwhile, metalformers reported improving confidence and steady shipping levels in July’s industry survey.