Not surprisingly, these groups often supply the auto industry and major exporters. From 1996 to 1998, the percentage of companies conforming to metric standards has been steadily increasing for each size category, but that continues to be more evident among larger companies, Lobrano says. But states showing the highest concentration of companies that are conforming to metric standards include Southern states such as South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia and Alabama. It's not that these manufacturers did not previously produce metric tools, but volume is rising, he says. I see more and more of our basic machinery manufacturing done overseas in Europe or Asia, where they use metric instead of English measurements.
Equipment breaks down and fasteners wear out.
That means business for suppliers of metric equipment, fasteners and tools used in repair. Calumet Distribution supplies fasteners to the steel industry in both English and metric measurements, relying on Metric Blue in Taylor, Mich., to supply the metric fasteners and to work with customers on keeping their metric materials separate from English materials on the manufacturing floor. Brent Ray, corporate vice president of the Metric Blue Product Group, says the company serves increased demand for metric fasteners, particularly in automotive. In the last couple years, North American production of metric fasteners has surpassed the amount of imports. Metal Distribution Questions or comments about Metal Center News.