Over the past several years, CNC machining materials have faced a series of market shifts, from price volatility to supply uncertainty. What began with COVID-era supply chain disruptions continued through inflation and tariffs, and now many people are wondering what’s next.
At Focused on Machining, we’re optimistic that prices will stabilize in the coming years. But even if they do, it’s a safe prediction that some future event will lead to more disruption, whether that’s years or decades from now. So what can you do to prepare for these types of challenges? Learn our insights on the current situation and strategies to help you navigate it.
The Current Environment: Navigating Material Changes
This year has brought a range of uncertainty, with a stream of legislative and regulatory developments. Many analysts expect significant price increases, and some material suppliers are now imposing strict customer-based allocations in anticipation of potential shortages.
Until recently, most suppliers for precision machine shops had access to as much material as they requested, but now supply levels (both internationally and domestically) seem to be in flux, leading to rising prices for materials like aluminum.
The specific causes are different, but the underlying message is the same as the problems resulting from the COVID crisis: the supply chain is complex, and that can lead to disruptions from unexpected events. If you’re seeking precision parts, partnering with a domestic supplier can help you avoid many of these challenges. But if you’re sourcing materials, the problem requires different strategies.
One Proven Option: Long-Term Agreements
In these situations, we’ve previously recommended a variety of strategies. The simplest, in many cases, is to choose a different material or select a different temper or grade of the same material. For example, if a project involved 6000-series aluminum during past material shortages, we sometimes suggested T651 as an alternative to 6061-T6. Whether for machinability or availability, we often help customers find comparable materials that meet their performance needs.
Yet substitutions aren’t always the long-term solution that customers are looking for. In those cases, we often recommend long-term contract manufacturing services. These agreements can stabilize both your part pricing and material costs. In the past, we’ve secured supplier agreements based on volume purchasing, and we can even buy material for your project upfront and store it in our facility.
In a manufacturing landscape that can change overnight, this type of stability can be a significant advantage. If you need 17-4 stainless for your parts, for instance, it may be easy to source today, but it’s hard to know what the future may hold. When we secure the material in advance, you don’t have to worry about availability or price hikes.
What’s Next for CNC Machining Materials?
Whatever happens in the short term, we feel confident that materials will stabilize in the coming years because, historically, they always have. This could come from expanded U.S. production or from smoother import processes.
But we also recognize that your business can’t wait for the long term. That’s why it’s critical to have a strategic manufacturing partner like Focused on Machining. We always aim to provide insightful guidance for the challenges you’re facing right now even as we keep an eye on what’s ahead.
Let’s Partner on Your Next Project
If you need high-volume machining services or long-term contract manufacturing, our team is ready to help. Request a quote today to collaborate with our Colorado machine shop and secure stable pricing on CNC machining materials!