North American metal powder shipments hit record levels of 562,633 short tons in 2000, reported Donald G. White, executive director of the Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF). "Through 2000, the P/M industry has experienced nine years of continuous growth," he said. During this nine-year period, the powder metallurgy industry has generated more awareness in the marketplace among design engineers and witnessed improvements in raw materials, processing techniques and improvements in mechanical properties of P/M parts. "It is these positive factors that will help the P/M industry get through the present turndown," White said. "Although the auto market remains the industry's top end-user, other markets such as electronic packaging, cell phones, surgical instruments, wrist watches, ammunition, sporting goods, power tools and hardware are increasing the use of P/M and are enjoying promising growth."

MPIF's website is located at http://www.mpif.org.