Kaufman Company

Successful change starts by understanding what’s getting in the way of the people doing the work. Change becomes harder when the systems, processes, and expectations around the work don’t support what people are being asked to do. Successful change programs focus on: ✅ Building real agreement around why and how change is happening ✅ Giving employees agency, not just involvement ✅ Removing barriers that make new behaviors harder to adopt ✅ Using feedback to understand how employees are responding ✅ Creating processes that build and maintain momentum As technology continues to change the workplace, people remain at the center of making that change successful. Read more with Kaufman Company: https://bit.ly/4wYgyfb

AD members delivered a record-setting first half of 2026, with sales topping $58 billion. Key results from the first six months of the year include: 📈 Total member sales increased 15% 📈 Same-store sales grew 10% 📈 Member purchases from AD suppliers increased 24% 📈 AD added a net 79 new members The results point to continued growth across AD’s independent distribution network heading into the second half of the year. Read more with Kaufman Company: https://bit.ly/4g7zKjq

Problems cannot be fixed if employees are afraid to bring them forward. High-performing companies create a culture where mistakes and bad news are treated as opportunities to learn, improve processes, and prevent the same issues from happening again. A leader’s first response matters. Listening, asking questions, and supporting problem-solving encourages employees to speak up. Blame teaches them to keep the next problem hidden. Continuous improvement starts by making problems visible. Get the full insights with Kaufman Company: https://bit.ly/454sdNf

Metalforming manufacturers are heading into the next few months with a steady, but cautious, outlook. According to the Precision Metalforming Association’s July Business Conditions Report: ✅ 65% expect general economic activity to remain unchanged ✅ 24% anticipate an increase in activity ✅ 48% expect incoming orders to remain flat ✅ Nearly one-third expect orders to increase Although most manufacturers are not forecasting a downturn, higher costs, supply chain challenges, and changing tariff policies continue to complicate decisions around hiring, production, and investment. Read more with Kaufman Company: https://bit.ly/4fCwMV7

The USMCA remains in place, but the future of North American trade has become less predictable. After the agreement was not extended for another 16 years, it will now be reviewed annually through 2036 unless the United States, Canada and Mexico reach a new agreement sooner. The current rules remain unchanged, but future negotiations could affect: ✅ Cross-border supply chains ✅ Steel, aluminum and other material costs ✅ Regional sourcing requirements ✅ Rules of origin and USMCA qualification ✅ Pricing and long-term investment decisions Industry stakeholders expect the agreement to remain in place, but they also anticipate meaningful changes to how goods are sourced, manufactured and moved across North America. Read more on the future of USMCA with Kaufman Company: https://bit.ly/4g5f4sr

Demand for metalworking machinery remained strong in May. New orders reached $583.4 million, up 47.8% compared to May 2025. Through the first five months of the year, orders were up 31.9%. Much of that growth has been driven by capital investment in the aerospace industry. The increase also suggests manufacturers are preparing for greater production demand and adding capacity. Read more with Kaufman Company: https://bit.ly/4fp9h1z

Industry leaders cannot prevent every disruption—but they can shape how their teams respond. Realistic optimism means recognizing the challenges ahead while maintaining confidence that they can be solved. When leaders remain calm, focus on the next step, and reinforce that improvement is possible, teams are more likely to: ✅ Adapt quickly to setbacks ✅ Stay focused on solutions ✅ Take ownership of improvement ✅ Turn ambitious goals into measurable results Take the optimistic approach and read more with Kaufman Company: https://bit.ly/4wdK7c7

A new bipartisan Senate bill could help protect resources used by small and midsize manufacturers across the country. The Defend American Manufacturing Act seeks to ensure the continued operation and funding of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program. The proposed legislation would: ✅ Establish clearer timelines for contract renewals and funding decisions ✅ Help prevent disruptions at local MEP centers ✅ Support productivity, technology adoption and supply chain improvements Read more with Kaufman Company: https://bit.ly/4fKN1iL

Familiarity can make even obvious operational problems easy to overlook. When workarounds, outdated information, safety risks, and inefficient processes become part of the daily routine, they can start to feel normal. Strong lean leadership requires stepping back and looking at the operation with fresh eyes: ✅ Walk the floor with purpose. ✅ Spot effort replacing good design. ✅ Treat discomfort as useful data. ✅ Ask what leadership may be missing. Sometimes improving an operation starts by slowing down, challenging familiar assumptions, and taking another look. Read more with Kaufman Company: https://bit.ly/4bvrLuT

Cutting tool demand continues to outpace last year! The latest Cutting Tool Market Report shows shipments remain strong, even after easing from April's record-setting pace. ✔️ May shipments: $239.8 million ✔️ 15.2% higher than May 2025 ✔️ Year-to-date: $1.2 billion (+16.8%) ✔️ Carbide tool costs continue to rise Strong demand across manufacturing sectors and ongoing raw material shortages remain key trends to watch. Read more with Kaufman Company: https://bit.ly/3SZlu4i