Manufacturing technology consumption falls in July

Sept. 17, 2008

July U.S. manufacturing technology consumption totaled $303.44 million, according to the American Machine Tool Distributors’ Association (AMTDA) and the Association For Manufacturing Technology (AMT) (www.amtonline.org). This total, as reported by companies participating in the United States Manufacturing Technology Consumption (USMTC) program, was down 21.5 percent from June but up 5.7 percent from the total of $287.02 million reported for July 2007. With a year-to-date total of $2,655.14 million, 2008 is up 15.5 percent compared with 2007.

“Despite the consecutive 1.3 percent increases in Durable Goods orders for June and July, manufacturing technology orders turned down sharply in July, with much of the downturn in Fabricating and Forming,” Peter Borden, AMTDA president said. “However, 2008 remains stronger than both 2006 and 2007. The upcoming fall trade show season will provide a clearer indication of the industry’s health following IMTS and Fabtech.”

The USMTC report, jointly compiled by the two trade associations representing the production and distribution of manufacturing technology, provides regional and national U.S. consumption data of domestic and imported machine tools and related equipment. Analysis of manufacturing technology consumption provides a reliable leading economic indicator as manufacturing industries invest in capital metalworking equipment to increase capacity and improve productivity.

U.S. manufacturing technology consumption is also reported on a regional basis for five geographic breakdowns of the United States.

Northeast Region

Northeast Region manufacturing technology consumption stood at $46.43 million in July, down 11.8 percent when compared with June’s $52.63 million, but 13.9 percent higher than the July 2007 total. At $374.16 million, the 2008 year-to-date total is 1.8 percent less than the comparable figure for 2007.

Southern Region

July manufacturing technology consumption in the Southern Region totaled $41.51 million, 41.0 percent less than June’s $70.39 million, and down 7.8 percent when compared with the total for July a year ago. The $428.86 million year-to-date total is up 39.0 percent when compared with 2007 at the same time.

Midwest Region

At $80.18 million, July manufacturing technology consumption in the Midwest Region was down 37.3 percent when compared with June’s $127.89 million and down 14.4 percent when compared with July a year ago. With a year-to-date total of $878.43 million, 2008 is 33.4 percent ahead of the comparable figure for 2007.

Central Region

July manufacturing technology consumption in the Central Region rose to $100.17 million, 14.8 percent more than June’s $87.23 million, and up 34.3 percent when compared with July 2007. The $648.80 million year-to-date total is 5.3 percent higher than the 2007 total at the same time.

Western Region

With a July total of $35.15 million, Western Region manufacturing technology consumption was 27.1 percent less than June’s $48.21 million, but 6.5 percent higher than the total for last July. The $324.88 million year-to-date total is down 2.7 percent when compared with 2007 at the same time.