US Machine Tool Orders Show 21% Drop in January

Mar 16, 2016

AMT calls latest results “not unexpected”, says annual growth forecast remains on track

• New machine tool orders, $278.79 million
• Better results from automotive, aerospace, medical equipment
• Southeast performs best

The January 2016 total for new machine tool orders represented the lowest monthly result in the past year, though AMT pointed to the high average value for individual machine tools as a positive development.

U.S. manufacturers’ new orders for machine tools totaled $278.79 million during January, the first month of the year for which AMT – the Association for Manufacturing Technology has forecast a slow recovery toward a 3% annual increase. The January result falls 30.4% below the December 2015 order volume, and 21.2% below January 2015 orders.

The data is included in the monthly U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders report, which AMT bases on actual machine tool orders reported by participating companies that produce and distribute metal cutting and metal-forming and –fabricating equipment, including domestically manufactured and imported machinery and equipment. The USMTO is offered as an indicator of capital investment (not manufacturing activity) and represents manufacturers’ confidence in current and developing economic conditions.

Source: American Machinist