According to R.W. Baird’s Industrial Review, both quotation and order activity improved in 2Q17, but at a slower pace than in the previous two quarters. Today, the industry mood would best be described as “guardedly optimistic” in contrast to the post-election euphoria that our industry experienced at the end of 2016 and in 1Q17.

Growth expectations continue to remain very healthy with 85.0 percent of the Baird survey respondents still predicting positive growth for 2017. However, that is still below last quarter when ALL respondents expected positive organic growth for the year. Typically, these expectations move lower through the year, but actually, all indications are that the overall industrial PVF market is getting stronger. In fact, the American Supply Association’s industrial PVF distributors recently reported a solid 6.5% increase on average in year-over-year sales results through June.

Globally, Europe remains fairly stagnant, Asia is quite strong with India and China leading the way, and the Middle East and South America will continue to struggle until there is a firm pricing recovery in the global oil and gas markets.

Oil and gas

Currently, the market is improving at a rapid pace, though sustainability remains uncertain due to the recent volatility in oil prices.

Chemical

These markets are continuing at healthy levels and are predicted to remain stable and positive for 2017.

General industrial

These markets are by no means booming, but they are holding steady, and the outlook is for continued improvement through 2017, this according to the aforementioned Baird survey respondents.

Commercial construction

Commercial building construction is up 4% on a year-over-year basis through May 2017. Architectural firms saw a strong increase in billings in the first half of 2017. Increased activity in this area presages actual construction by 9-12 months and points to healthy levels of construction activity for the second half of this year as well as into 2018.

Power

There still is a fair amount of activity in the combined cycle area of this market, which has virtually eliminated any expansion activity in both the “other fossil” and/or nuclear markets. All indications are that natural gas is the clear winner as the fuel/energy source of choice in this country and this decision requires our government to approve considerable new gas pipeline construction in order for the U.S. to return to a really robust power market.

Municipal water infrastructure

There is certainly a tremendous pent-up demand for repair and replacement in this market, but nothing of significance will happen until a focused and funded commitment comes out of Congress.

Industrial valve pricing

According to the Producer Price Index, industrial valve pricing is only up an average of 2.0% since June 2016, but that may change in the near future. There was considerable price volatility in the month of July with copper rising 8% and nickel rising 10%. Due to these material increases and other cost drivers, a price increase could be in the cards as early as the August-September timeframe. It is anticipated that this increase would definitely affect brass, bronze and iron valves as well as affecting carbon and stainless valves.

The American Supply Association and its Industrial Piping Division is the national organization serving wholesale distributors and their suppliers in the industrial and mechanical pipe-valve-fitting industry.  As a powerful alliance of channel partners, we provide a forum for your upstream trading partners to exchange critical information and address key issues.

In particular, ASA’s IPD members constantly check the pulse of the materials and commodities they proudly supply to you. ASA’s IPD members are knowledgeable industry leaders, and those who volunteer their service on the IPD Executive Council compile and prepare the IPD Commodity Reports. The reports contain some of the most current and qualified market data and information available from the industry’s leading manufacturers and distributors about emerging trends and other price-influencing actions and events.

This information is an example of how ASA’s IPD manufacturer and distributor members are constantly looking ahead to ensure you have information and resources you need to be successful. Learn more at www.AdvanceYourAbility.com.