TMA e-News Bulletin for March 18, 2026

INFORMATION

Manufacturing Confidence Rebounds in March 

Despite stressors associated with heightened global risk, U.S. manufacturers are expressing increased positive business sentiment again in March. More HERE.

Rising Cutting Tool Demand Tempered by Slow Growth, Surging Prices for Tungsten

Domestic demand for cutting tools rose 2.7% from December 2025 to January 2026, which is 9.9% higher than January 2025. “Activity, usage, and new projects all indicate that the latest trend is very positive,” commented Jack Burley, chairman of AMT’s Cutting Tool Product Group. The Cutting Tool Market Report is compiled monthly by AMT and USCTI. Complicating the long view is Tungsten prices have surged fivefold over the past year, and at least one TMA member reports cutting tool vendors are rationing supply and lead times are growing quickly. More HERE as well as HERE and HERE.

Halted Shipping Traffic Impacting Aluminum, Sulphur & Chemicals

As shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains all but halted, significant disruptions are extending beyond the oil and gas sector, such as the impacts on 15% of global aluminum supply, 15% of global polyethylene production, and copper and nickel processors that rely on sulphuric acid. More HERE.

Inflation Holds Steady

The February consumer price index came in as expected, rising 0.3%, with annual inflation remaining at 2.4% over this time last year. There is a caveat in this report, however, as many of these numbers came before the U.S. launched its joint strike with Israel against Iran. For instance, gas prices have jumped dramatically since February. The other major development that is expected to have a sizable impact on future inflation is the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling against President Trump’s tariffs.

Illinois Corporate Tax Collections Down From Last Year

The Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability has increased its fiscal year 2026 general funds revenue estimate by $686 million, or 1.2%. The commission’s latest report says corporate income tax receipts are a net $158 million lower than last year. Sales tax receipts are up $338 million.

Understanding the New DOL Proposed Rule on Independent Contractor Classification

A proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”), published Feb. 26, could once again change how employers classify workers as employees or as independent contractors. With the constantly shifting tests and rules, every change, including the presently proposed DOL rule, creates the risk of mistakes that may expose businesses to audits, investigations, and lawsuits, potentially resulting in years of back pay and liquidated damages liability. More HERE.

Union Membership Rate in U.S. Held Steady in 2025

Despite a new administration in D.C. and a push by the executive branch to reign in federal worker unions, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics finally released figures showing that the percentage amongst all U.S. workers who were part of a labor union ticked up slightly from 9.9 percent in 2024, to 10 percent in 2025. With respect to the private workforce, that percentage held at 5.9 percent (same as 2024). More HERE.

ADVOCACY

TMA Member Discusses Challenge Finding Skilled Workers

The Center Square reported about the ongoing challenges small and midsize manufacturers are having finding skilled workers and how the pending 2-year foreign language mandate for high school graduation will worsen the situation. TMA member Kyra Tillman, President of BTM Industries, said she was troubled by the mandate and is urging lawmakers to pass SB3070 to allow CTE classes to satisfy the mandate. More HERE.

TMA Hosts Third State Manufacturing Task Force Meeting

TMA members appointed to the state’s Manufacturing Task Force met again last week to continue discussions on ways to improve and expand small and midsize manufacturing in Illinois. Task force members were briefed on TMA’s efforts to amend state law to boost Career Technical Education in high schools and discussed their concerns with the Governor’s decision to decouple Illinois from federal manufacturing tax credits. The task force will meet through September and then make recommendations to the IL General Assembly in January 2027.

Chinese Company Fined for Stealing Technology From Illinois-Based Motorola

A Chinese company has been fined $50 million for criminally conspiring to steal proprietary technology from Illinois-based Motorola Solutions Inc. Prosecutors say Hytera Communications Corp. recruited and hired Motorola employees and directed them to take information related to Motorola’s digital mobile radio technology without authorization beginning in 2006. Judge John J. Tharp Jr. also ordered Hytera to pay restitution of about $214 million, to be offset by payments previously made after a civil judgment.

MEMBERS

K-Display, LLC

K-Display does commercial sheet metal fabrication, including laser cutting, forming, punching, powder coating, assembly, and welding.

VMP Precision Works, Inc.

VMP Precision Works does metal parts manufacturer specializing in custom and prototypes for various industries.

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