AWFS® Board President, Rob Howell
With the second quarter coming to an end for 2022, there are no signs of our industry slowing. The economy continues to move in a positive direction. Supplies and equipment remain difficult to obtain. Prices continue to increase due to demand and issues in the supply chain. As with the automotive industry, used prices have also increased due to the shortage of new equipment. Electronic components have created issues with getting machinery to market. Machinery manufacturers and suppliers are seeing backorders at an all-time high. Customers are waiting longer to receive goods with delays more common.
It’s been an interesting start to 2022 as economists try to read the market. Some are saying a recession is on the horizon, while others are optimistic going into 2023. The housing market continues to be strong, even with the increase in interest rates and home values rising. Be sure to stay informed with the AWFS® free quarterly economic updates.
We have started to see some glimpses of normalcy with employees heading back to the office. Around the country, masks are coming off and air travel is almost back to pre-pandemic levels. The pandemic has left some scars but has also made us more efficient. Many companies continue online meetings as the way of doing business.
Your Association and its committees continue to serve our industry with education, public policy, and activities focused on our members. Mark your calendars for October 7. This will be MFG Day. If you’re interested in opening your doors to inspire the next generation about our industry, please contact Adria Salvatore at adria@awfs.org. Our Public Policy committee has been hard at work lobbying with our legislators to improve educational and training programs for new employees. In June, the committee took part in the Virtual Fly-In. We advocated for the Employer Directed Skills Act, which provides funding for in-house training programs for employers, and the Creating Opportunities to Thrive and Advance Act, which supports improving workforce development and creating opportunities to help reduce skills gap in our industry.
In August, we will have the IWF show in Atlanta, Georgia. We look forward to seeing many of the international companies returning to our exhibitions here in the United States. IWF is expecting a great turnout from both exhibitors and attendees from around the world. COVID-19 has caused a lot of pent-up demand, in addition to the cancellation of the show in 2020.
Please make sure to visit the AWFS® Staff at booth #A10543 in the exhibit Hall A. We’d be happy to answer any questions about the upcoming AWFS®Fair in 2023.
We look forward to seeing you all in Atlanta!