Machine Tool Orders Gain Momentum

December 2014 U.S. manufacturing technology orders totaled $506.89 million according to AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology (McLean, VA). This total, as reported by companies participating in the USMTO program, was up 32.7 percent from November and up 4.7 percent when compared with the total of $484.08 million reported for December 2013. With a year-to-date total of $5,079.05 million, 2014 was up 3.1 percent compared with 2013.

These numbers and all data in this report are based on the totals of actual data reported by companies participating in the USMTO program. “The momentum we saw in manufacturing toward the end of 2014 is fueling optimism for 2015, with many major manufacturers saying they plan to hire more and invest more throughout the coming months,” said AMT
president Douglas K. Woods. “The 3.1 percent gain in orders for the year was in line with our yearly forecast. While there are reasons for caution – a rising dollar, falling oil prices, and a shortage of skilled workers – overall we feel that the U.S. economy will continue to improve its fortunes through the first half of 2015 and manufacturing will see a measure of restrained growth.”

The United States Manufacturing Technology Orders (USMTO) report, compiled by the trade association representing the production and distribution of manufacturing technology, provides regional and national U.S. orders data of domestic and imported machine tools and related equipment. Analysis of manufacturing technology orders provides a reliable leading economic indicator as manufacturing industries invest in capital metalworking equipment to increase capacity and improve productivity.

NOTE: AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology’s intent is to always provide timely and accurate economic reports to our community. For this reason, we are making an adjustment to the USMTO report. Due to a change in survey participants the year over year
comparison number for Metal Forming and Fabricating is not an accurate reflection of the data. We have adjusted the data for the past 12 months to take this change into consideration. The new chart reflects a consistent year over year comparison of the data at the current participation level.

U.S. manufacturing technology orders are also reported on a regional basis for six geographic breakdowns of the United States.

Northeast Region
December manufacturing technology orders in the Northeast Region totaled $82.87 million, 26.9 percent higher than the $65.32 million tally for December 2013. Year-to-date orders of $798.68 million were 1.2 percent less than the comparable figure for 2013.

North Central-East Region
North Central-East Region manufacturing technology orders in December stood at $165.27 million, a rise of 72.6 percent when compared with November’s $95.74 million and up 20.0 percent when compared with the $137.70 million total for December 2013. The 2014 year-to-date total of $1,370.52 million was 6.6 percent higher than the 2013 total at the same time.

North Central-West Region
At $77.83 million, North Central-West Region manufacturing technology orders in December were up 13.2 percent compared with November’s $68.79 million. The 2014 year-to-date total of $886.59 million was 3.8 percent less than the comparable figure for 2013.

South Central
December manufacturing technology orders in the South Central Region stood at $49.43 million, off 22.5 percent from November’s $63.75 million. At $764.37 million, 2014 year-to-date orders were running 2.2 percent ahead of 2013 at the same time.

AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology represents and promotes U.S.-based manufacturing technology and its members — those who design, build, sell, and service the continuously evolving technology that lies at the heart of manufacturing. Founded in 1902 and based in Virginia, the association specializes in providing targeted business assistance, extensive global support, and business intelligence systems and analysis.

AMT is the voice that communicates the importance of policies and programs that encourage research and innovation, and the development of educational initiatives to create tomorrow’s Smartforce. AMT owns and manages IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show, which is the premier manufacturing technology event in North America. The USMTO report is compiled by AMT and all data in the report is based on the totals of actual data reported by companies participating in the USMTO program.

www.AMTonline.org