DIEMAKERS GET DOWN TO BUSINESS

A closer look at the impact of the national economic slowdown revealed virtually no effect on manufacturing, with 92 percent citing no plans for production shutdowns or mandatory employee vacations. More than two-thirds said no layoffs have resulted from current conditions, and over half are preceding with planned marketing initiatives despite the downturn. Equipment purchases seem to be bearing the brunt of the slowdown, with more than half of responding die shops reporting a cut or a complete halt in technology investments.