allmetalworking > News & Topics >U.S. Machine Tool Orders in Double-Digit Rise for March
U.S. Machine Tool Orders in Double-Digit Rise for March
Author: Robert Brooks
Source From: America Machinist
Posted Date: 2014-05-21
New orders for machine tools and related products rose 38.5% during March, up to $492.78 million from February's revised total of $355.88 million. The current result is also slightly ahead (2.9%) of the March 2013 result.
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The new data brings the 2014 total to $1,228.6 million, 0.9% higher than the first-quarter 2013 total, and seem to align with recent results from Germany and Italy indicating stronger demand from manufacturers in those markets.
These domestic results are drawn from the latest U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders (USMTO) report, a monthly summary by AMT - The Association for Manufacturing Technology. AMT tracks nationwide orders for metal-cutting equipment separately from metal forming and fabricating equipment, both domestically sourced and imports, with the combined figure representing the monthly total. Results are provided for six geographic regions as well.
The monthly results are based on the totals of actual data reported by companies participating in the USMTO program.
“As these figures indicate, along with strong readings for the PMI (purchasing managers’ index), durable goods orders, and motor vehicle sales, manufacturing continues to be a leader in economic growth,” according to AMT president Douglas K. Woods.
He continued: “It’s noteworthy that this was the strongest month for orders since September 2012, an IMTS month, though order delays caused by a harsh winter certainly interrupted the flow of business at the start of the year. As we head toward IMTS 2014, we expect continued expansion through the rest of this year and likely into 2015.”
