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Global powder market weaker says Höganäs
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Global powder market weaker says Höganäs The first nine months of the year saw Höganäs increase net sales by 16 per cent to SEK 3380 million and the company says that volumes were consistent with the corresponding period of 2004. Volume growth reflects weaker global market progress than in 2004, said the company. Sales volumes experienced some effects from customers reducing inventory levels in 2005, itself the consequence of bringing deliveries in late 2004 forward to mitigate the increased price surcharges in 2005. "US car sales, which have been weak, rallied temporarily
because of discounting in the June to August period, causing car sales up to now to exceed the previous year. However, production was lower. Sales of smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles, and US automakers losing market share, has resulted in the US powder market - representing 50 per cent of global volumes - contracting in 2005. The market in Western Europe also progressed weakly, with growth in Asia and South America unable to offset these downturns, which means that overall, the global powder market has declined. "Nevertheless, Höganäs' volumes on the American
Metaldyne exports PF rods to Korea market were healthy. Progress in Western Europe remained negative. Volumes in Eastern Europe and South America remained robust and in Asia, progress varied, with positive performance in Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia." In the third quarter turnover grew by 18 per cent year on year. These gains were mainly due to higher prices, caused by higher raw materials prices. Volumes dropped 2 per cent year on year. Currency effects caused turnover to increase by 4 per cent. • See In business, P12
MPIF forecasts a 'better 2006' EXECUTIVES attending the Metal Powder Industries Federation's (MPIF) recent Fall Management Conference and 61st Annual Meeting heard about the latest trends in PM process equipment, metal powders, PM parts, metal injection moulding (MIM), advanced materials, and refractory metals. While 2005 is a softer business year, Q4 could signal an improvement according to industry observers. North American iron powder shipments declined through July, but picked up in August. The Metal Powder Producers Association reported that 75 per cent of its members responding to a recent survey see metal powder shipments increasing for Q4 and 67 per cent expect an improving
8
MPR November 2005
2006. The Powder Metallurgy Equipment Association, enduring another weak market in 2005, forecasts improving equipment sales during the first half of next year. The Powder Metallurgy Parts Association reported a mediocre year but expects rising sales in 2006 and 2007. The global market for MIM parts has increased to $360 million, estimates the Metal Injection Molding Association, with North America accounting for $150 million. Shipments of advanced particulate materials and products continue to grow, reports the Advanced Particulate Materials Association. Trends include improvements in hot isostatic presses and increasing use of PVD. The Refractory Metals Association expects a possible shortage of tungsten.
Tungsten carbide sales are up 10 per cent. • The Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF), Metal Powder Producers Association (MPPA), and the Metal Injection Molding Association (MIMA) elected new presidents. Edul M Daver was elected president of MPIF, succeeding David L Schaefer. Gregory M Brasel, vice president, manufacturing & product development, Megamet Solid Metals, was elected president of the Metal Injection Molding Association (MIMA). Michael E Lutheran, vice president of operations, North American Höganäs (NAH), succeeds Edul M Daver as president of the Metal Powder Producers Association (MPPA).
THE Metaldyne plant in North Vernon, Indiana, will this month begin shipping powder forged connecting rods directly to Korea for the 3.3-litre and 3.8-litre Lambda engines produced at Hyundai's Asan plant. Metaldyne North Vernon has already begun phase-one production of fully machined powder metal connecting rod assemblies for Hyundai's new 3.3-litre Lambda engines produced at Hyundai's new assembly plant in Montgomery, Alabama for the 2005 Sonata. "Metaldyne has always been a leader in powder metal connecting rod technology, and here we are taking that one step further by providing a fully machined connecting rod assembly that adds value to our customer's global engine programme," said Tim Leuliette, Metaldyne's chairman, president and CEO. "This clearly demonstrates Metaldyne's vision of delivering more value-added assemblies and modules for its growing global customer base." This contract marks a growing trend by automakers toward outsourcing more complex assemblies and modules to suppliers. In the past, Metaldyne supplied the powder metal forged connecting rods and OEMs performed the machining and assembly operations. Metaldyne's fully machined connecting rod assembly offers increased value by eliminating significant investment costs for the customer while delivering a lighter, stronger product.
metal-powder.net
Global powder market weaker says Höganäs The first nine months of the year saw Höganäs increase net sales by 16 per cent to SEK 3380 million and the company says that volumes were consistent with the corresponding period of 2004. Volume growth reflects weaker global market progress than in 2004, said the company. Sales volumes experienced some effects from customers reducing inventory levels in 2005, itself the consequence of bringing deliveries in late 2004 forward to mitigate the increased price surcharges in 2005. "US car sales, which have been weak, rallied temporarily
because of discounting in the June to August period, causing car sales up to now to exceed the previous year. However, production was lower. Sales of smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles, and US automakers losing market share, has resulted in the US powder market - representing 50 per cent of global volumes - contracting in 2005. The market in Western Europe also progressed weakly, with growth in Asia and South America unable to offset these downturns, which means that overall, the global powder market has declined. "Nevertheless, Höganäs' volumes on the American
Metaldyne exports PF rods to Korea market were healthy. Progress in Western Europe remained negative. Volumes in Eastern Europe and South America remained robust and in Asia, progress varied, with positive performance in Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia." In the third quarter turnover grew by 18 per cent year on year. These gains were mainly due to higher prices, caused by higher raw materials prices. Volumes dropped 2 per cent year on year. Currency effects caused turnover to increase by 4 per cent. • See In business, P12
MPIF forecasts a 'better 2006' EXECUTIVES attending the Metal Powder Industries Federation's (MPIF) recent Fall Management Conference and 61st Annual Meeting heard about the latest trends in PM process equipment, metal powders, PM parts, metal injection moulding (MIM), advanced materials, and refractory metals. While 2005 is a softer business year, Q4 could signal an improvement according to industry observers. North American iron powder shipments declined through July, but picked up in August. The Metal Powder Producers Association reported that 75 per cent of its members responding to a recent survey see metal powder shipments increasing for Q4 and 67 per cent expect an improving
8
MPR November 2005
2006. The Powder Metallurgy Equipment Association, enduring another weak market in 2005, forecasts improving equipment sales during the first half of next year. The Powder Metallurgy Parts Association reported a mediocre year but expects rising sales in 2006 and 2007. The global market for MIM parts has increased to $360 million, estimates the Metal Injection Molding Association, with North America accounting for $150 million. Shipments of advanced particulate materials and products continue to grow, reports the Advanced Particulate Materials Association. Trends include improvements in hot isostatic presses and increasing use of PVD. The Refractory Metals Association expects a possible shortage of tungsten.
Tungsten carbide sales are up 10 per cent. • The Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF), Metal Powder Producers Association (MPPA), and the Metal Injection Molding Association (MIMA) elected new presidents. Edul M Daver was elected president of MPIF, succeeding David L Schaefer. Gregory M Brasel, vice president, manufacturing & product development, Megamet Solid Metals, was elected president of the Metal Injection Molding Association (MIMA). Michael E Lutheran, vice president of operations, North American Höganäs (NAH), succeeds Edul M Daver as president of the Metal Powder Producers Association (MPPA).
THE Metaldyne plant in North Vernon, Indiana, will this month begin shipping powder forged connecting rods directly to Korea for the 3.3-litre and 3.8-litre Lambda engines produced at Hyundai's Asan plant. Metaldyne North Vernon has already begun phase-one production of fully machined powder metal connecting rod assemblies for Hyundai's new 3.3-litre Lambda engines produced at Hyundai's new assembly plant in Montgomery, Alabama for the 2005 Sonata. "Metaldyne has always been a leader in powder metal connecting rod technology, and here we are taking that one step further by providing a fully machined connecting rod assembly that adds value to our customer's global engine programme," said Tim Leuliette, Metaldyne's chairman, president and CEO. "This clearly demonstrates Metaldyne's vision of delivering more value-added assemblies and modules for its growing global customer base." This contract marks a growing trend by automakers toward outsourcing more complex assemblies and modules to suppliers. In the past, Metaldyne supplied the powder metal forged connecting rods and OEMs performed the machining and assembly operations. Metaldyne's fully machined connecting rod assembly offers increased value by eliminating significant investment costs for the customer while delivering a lighter, stronger product.
metal-powder.net