AM Staff

In their latest U.S. Manufacturing Technology Consumption report, the American Machine Tool Distributors’ Assn. and the Association for Manufacturing Technology indicate that sales of machine tool equipment and components increased 16% during November. AMTDA and AMT report that U.S. manufacturing technology consumption totaled $178.83 million for the month.

The monthly USMTC report is coordinated by AMTDA and AMT, using actual data reported by members of the organizations.

In addition to the rise from October to November, the latest figure also indicates a 16.2% decline from November 2008 sales, which totaled $213.50 million.

The 2009 11-month total for machine tool sales reached $1,552.53 million at the end of November. That figure reveals total sales have fallen -63.4% versus the January-November 2008 total.

“The three month upward trend in manufacturing technology order values is great news for the industry and the country, despite unit levels stubbornly hovering around 1,000,” stated AMTDA president Peter Borden. “As we turn the calendar and our attention to 2010, we’re hopeful that Washington will pass legislation allowing American manufacturing to rebuild not only its employment levels and backlogs, but also to improve our balance of trade and our country’s economy.”