Demand Remains Sluggish For Manufacturers Despite Improvement According to the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), U.S. manufacturing activity contracted at a faster pace in October, continuing a months-long slowdown that reflects ongoing uncertainty around demand, trade, and tariffs. The Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) Manu- facturing PMI fell to 48.7 percent, down from 49.1 percent in September. While the four key demand indicators—new orders, new export orders, backlog of orders, and customers’ in- ventories—all improved slightly, they remained in contrac- tion territory. Of the six largest manufacturing sectors, only transportation equipment reported an increase in new or- ders. Respondents cited concern about softening demand and the impact of tariffs on costs and supply chains. Globally, manufacturing conditions held steady in Octo- ber. The J.P. Morgan Global Manufacturing PMI inched up from 50.7 to 50.8, remaining above the growth threshold. Output and new orders rose for the third straight month, supported by stable inventories and lead times. Staffing levels were unchanged for the third consecutive month. However, new export orders continued to fall—declining for the seventh straight month and at a faster pace than September. While manufacturers expect modest gains in output and purchasing, overall business optimism slipped to a six-month low. In contrast, the S&P Global U.S. Manufacturing PMI rose to 52.5 in October from 52.0 in September. Domestic new orders posted their strongest gain in 20 months, though the increase was concentrated within U.S. markets. Ex- ports declined for the fourth consecutive month, as tar- iffs weighed on shipments to Canada, China, and Mexico. Meanwhile, production increased, allowing inventories of finished goods to rise for the third straight month—the fastest pace in the survey’s 18-year history. Analysts noted that this buildup could lead to weaker output in the months ahead if demand does not rebound. Employment data reflected continued caution. Accord- ing to ADP, private-sector employers added 42,000 jobs in October after shedding 29,000 in September. Goods-pro- ducing industries gained 9,000 jobs overall, though man- ufacturing lost 3,000 positions. Consumer confidence also weakened. The University of Michigan’s preliminary Consumer Sentiment Index fell for the fourth consecutive month, down 3.3 points to 50.3, the lowest level since spring. Year-ahead inflation expec- tations edged up to 4.7 percent, while long-run expecta- tions declined to 3.6 percent. Consumers cited concerns over tariffs, job prospects, and the ongoing government shutdown as weighing on the economic outlook. Despite uneven performance across sectors, manu- facturers remain cautiously optimistic that underlying de- mand and easing supply pressures could stabilize produc- tion heading into early 2026.
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
SAUER SYSTEM www.sauersystem.com
Sauer provides intelligent solutions for scoring, slitting, slit-scoring, and perforating on corrugators and floor slitters; and glue tab cutting, creasing, slotting, trimming and scrap chopping on presses. New, featured offerings include FRX Adjustable Folding Rail System and G3 Scoring System: the latest proven creasing technology on the market.
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Interactive website for Stafford Corrugated Products and Stafford Cutting Dies. Featuring online ordering of replace- ment parts. Also, visitors can automatically calculate sheet size for most die-cut standards.
SUN AUTOMATION GROUP ® www.sunautomation.com
SUN Automation Group is the global leader in providing innovative solutions to the corrugated industry. SUN engi- neers and builds the SUN625 Rotary Die Cutter, provides sales, service and support in North and Central America for Latitude Machinery Corporation, manufacturer of Mini to Jumbo FFG and RDCs. Additionally, SUN is the North Amer- ican, UK and Ireland sales and service provider for Para Machinery’s line of equipment, and is the North American sales provider for Highcon. SUN also powers the corrugat- ed industry’s premier IIoT platform, Helios, and is the OEM source for Langston/Staley equipment parts and service. THACKER INDUSTRIAL SERVICE COMPANY www.thackerindustrial.com Specializing in corrugated machinery, T.I.S.CO. offers quali- ty-made products, support services, and more. T.I.S.CO. has a reputation of dependability, not only in the product, but in service and support. With more than 25 years’ experience, T.I.S.CO. installs equipment and machinery, moves or sets up entire plants, rewires and rebuilds - all over the world. VT GROUP www.vtgrouponline.com VT offers prepress services for the POP display and corru- gated shipping container industry including graphic design, optimized digitally imaged printing plates and innovative pre-mounting solutions. Our large-format digital printing fa- cility (Digital Impact) is a leading short-run manufacturer of distinctive POP displays and signage where litho-like graph-
ics are preferred. WPR SERVICES www.wprservices.net
WPR Services was established in 2016. What originally start- ed as a technical services company expanded its product offerings to include a machine center learning platform POWtalk™. Our analysis of video, audio, machine metrics, employee ergometrics, and person to person conversation provides a way to identify safety and process inefficiencies.
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November 17, 2025
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