From The Editor

The war in Ukraine through unprovoked Russian aggression continues to be the biggest story on the global stage. And the horrific human suffering experienced by the Ukrainian people is, and will rightfully remain, the focus of our attention.

In a recent webinar, Construction Executive’s 2022 Q1 Construction Economic Update and Forecast, Anirban Basu discussed the state of the economy as it relates to construction.

The global supply chain has been plagued by shortages in the past 18 months, with no product more scarce than semiconductors. The inability to source those microchips turned what should have been a banner year for automotive into a second straight year of well-below-average production numbers, among other issues.

At the March FMA Annual Meeting, two words dominated the conversations over the course of all three days: supply chain. Whether from the lips of steel executives, economists or consultants, supply chains were top of mind for all in attendance.

The May issue of Metal Center News will feature, as always, the results of our Top Brands survey, the annual polling of MCN readers to determine which companies are “top of mind” in the equipment space.

In a February 2 METALCON Live webinar, Karl Feldman spoke about how employers can adapt to better acquire and retain talent during the Great Resignation. Feldman is a partner at Hinge, Reston, Va., a branding and marketing firm specializing in helping professional services firms grow.

The Great Resignation, as it turns out, might be a misnomer. Recent data suggests the pervasive decline in the U.S. workforce could better be described as The Early Retirement.

A little over a year ago, GameStop was at the center of the meme stock craze, where retail investors upended the Wall Street order. Over the last two weeks, it was the LME’s time to get shaken up.

The Precision Metalforming Association Educational Foundation, along with other PMA districts, is trying to attract youth to manufacturing careers by offering scholarships of at least $1,000 to individuals seeking a career in the metalforming industry.

The May issue will once again bring Metal Center News’ popular Top Brands survey, the long-running feature that highlights the leading equipment providers to the service center industry.