Finishing Activity: December Index of 46.3 Ended 2022 With Entire Fourth Quarter in Contraction
Finishing activity was down 1.4 points vs. November.
The Gardner Business Index (GBI): Finishing closed December contracting a little faster than November which contracted a little faster than October, making for a consistent, albeit somewhat concerning, trend.
• The collection of contracting components is not surprising – contracting backlog, new orders, and exports combined to drive contraction in production.
• The trend looks like it may be just a matter of time, call it a month or two, before employment joins the ranks of contracting GBI components.
• Supplier deliveries may be enjoying a reprieve, still expanding, though at slower rates, following lengthened highs inflated by supply chain issues. Deliveries activity can be expected to slow if demand-based components continue to contract and supply chain returns to ‘normal’ dynamics.
The Gardner Business Index (GBI): Finishing
December’s index made for a fourth quarter, 2022, that contracted each month.
Key Component Activity
Contracting demand-based components drove contracting production and contracting finishing activity overall.
Related Content
-
Justifying Investments in Automation and Smart Solutions
Corey Sorrento of Carlisle Fluid Technologies discusses the long-term benefits and payoffs for investing in AI-driven technologies for your paint line.
-
Bryan Leiker, MFACA, Discusses CARB Public Hearing Over Calif. Hex Chrome Ban
Bryan Leiker, executive director, Metal Finishing Association of California, offers a recap of a January 27, 2023, public hearing conducted by the California Air Resources Board prior to an impending ruling on a proposed ban of hexavalent chromium use for finishing operations in the state.
-
The Year Ahead of Us
Products Finishing looks ahead to a new year of reporting on the coating and finishing industries.
