February U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Up 5.7 Percent

The monthly gain in factory activity is in line with economists’ predictions that orders for this year will remain relatively flat compared to last year.

February U.S. manufacturing technology orders totaled $385.89 million according to AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology (McLean, VA). This total, as reported by companies participating in the USMTO program, was up 5.7 percent from January but down 10.6 percent when compared with the total of $431.63 million reported for February 2012. With a year-to-date total of $750.94 million, 2013 is down 11.9 percent compared with 2012.

These numbers and all data in this report are based on the totals of actual data reported by companies participating in the USMTO program.

“A month-to-month gain is certainly good to see, and these numbers seem to echo some of the other recent economic data, including gains in both factory orders and durable goods orders,” said AMT president Douglas K. Woods. “A year-to-date decline in orders compared to 2012 is in line with expectations we had for a slight slowdown in the first two quarters of 2013, though second-half growth is expected to offset the slump. This is in line with our economists’ predictions that orders for 2013 will stay relatively flat compared to 2012.”

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.

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

Northeast Region
At $53.30 million, February manufacturing technology orders in the Northeast Region were up 7.7 percent when compared with the $49.50 million total for January but down 4.5 percent when compared with February a year ago. With a year-to-date total of $102.79 million, 2013 is down 10.9 percent when compared with 2012 at the same time.

Southeast Region
Manufacturing technology orders in the Southeast Region in February totaled $29.43 million, down 17.9 percent from January’s $35.84 million and down 36.1 percent when compared with February 2012. At $65.27 million, 2013 year-to-date is off 10.0 percent when compared with the 2012 figure for the same period.

North Central-East Region
North Central-East Region manufacturing technology orders totaled $111.92 million in February, up 17.4 percent from the $95.37 million total for January and up 8.7 percent when compared with February 2012. The year-to-date total of $207.29 million is 4.2 percent less than the comparable figure for 2012.

North Central-West Region
At $80.22 million, February manufacturing technology orders in the North Central-West Region were up 12.7 percent when compared with the $71.15 million total for January but 1.9 percent less than the February 2012 total. The 2013 year-to-date total of $151.36 million is down 3.2 percent when compared with 2012 at the same time.

South Central Region
February manufacturing technology orders in the South Central Region totaled $58.50 million, 19.8 percent less than January’s $72.96 million and down 37.6 percent when compared with February 2012. At $131.46 million, the 2013 year-to-date total is 31.3 percent less than the comparable figure for 2012.

West Region
West Region manufacturing technology orders in February stood at $52.53 million, up 30.5 percent from the January total of $40.24 million and 2.7 percent higher than the figure for February 2012. The $92.77 million year-to-date total is off 7.6 percent when compared with 2012 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, 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