U.S. Factory Activity Is Slowing—Here’s Why We’re Not
The latest manufacturing data from the ISM shows what many of us are already feeling - U.S. factory activity continues to slow. New orders are down, inventories are shrinking, and confidence is shaky across the board.
But while the industry hits the brakes, we’re keeping our foot on the gas.
At Mills Machine Works, we’re not waiting around to see what happens. We’re using this moment to lean in, sharpen our systems, and position our shop, and our customers, for a strong Q4.
Here’s how.
1. We’re Quoting Smarter (and Faster)
In uncertain times, buyers need quotes they can count on—not just for price, but for feasibility, lead time, and manufacturability.
That’s why we’re doubling down on detailed reviews during the quoting process. We’re:
Catching potential design issues early
Offering alternative materials where it makes sense
Building in realistic timelines based on actual capacity
Prioritizing repeat customers and strategic buyers
When the flood of RFQs returns (and it always does), our partners will already be ahead of the curve.
2. We’re Auditing Old Jobs and Updating Setups
Now’s the perfect time to clean up the back end.
We’ve been revisiting old parts, streamlining setups, reviewing fixture strategies, and improving our Paperless Parts workflow to ensure that when production ramps back up, we’re not just ready, we’re faster.
3. We’re Building Stronger Buyer Relationships
Slower times are when good vendors shine. We’re staying in close contact with buyers, asking about long-term needs, and helping prep for Q4 and 2026 sourcing cycles.
Whether you’re waiting on contract awards or just navigating internal delays. We’re here to talk through ideas, offer feedback, and quote proactively.
We’ve seen this pattern before:
❄️ Slow summer → 🔥 Chaotic fall.
The buyers who plan now are the ones who won’t be stuck scrambling later.
4. We’re Training, Organizing, and Investing
Downtime is uptime in disguise, if you use it right.
We’re cross-training team members, organizing tool inventories, improving job traveler checklists, and doing preventive maintenance. This isn’t a pause - it’s a prep cycle.
Because when the market heats back up, our team—and our machines—will be ready to run hard.
👊 Final Thought
Yes, the industry is cooling. But your parts still need to get made. Your builds still need to stay on track. Your goals still matter.
And while others slow down, we’re focused on delivering better, smarter, and faster—so when you’re ready, we’re ready.
👉 Send us your print. We’ll quote it with care, insight, and urgency—so you’re not left waiting when things ramp back up.