Machine Tool Consumption figures have, up to now, have contrasted with the growing economic downturn, continuing to post sales increases. But that changed in October, when U.S. machine tool consumption totaled an estimated $484 million, a figure that was down 14% compared to the revised estimate of $564 million for September, and down 17% compared to the estimated $581 million total for October, 1999. However, the year-to-date total, computed at $4.9 billion in 2000 is up 1% compared to the same period in 1999.
"While metal cutting equipment producers saw a boost in orders in September as a result of the International Manufacturing Technology Show held in Chicago, metal forming equipment manufacturers had their best month of the year in October,” noted Don F. Carlson, president of Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT), which, along with the American Machine Tool Distributors’ Association (AMTDA), compiles the monthly consumption data of domestic and imported machine tools and related equipment, based on reports submitted by participating companies. "We expect that business will continue to improve as manufacturers invest to increase their productivity."
National machine tool consumption (in millions):
| NATIONAL | Oct. '00 | Previous Month | YTD '00 | YTD '99 | Change |
| Metal Cutting | 287.31 | 366.37 | 3,014.58 | 2,841.04 | 6.1% |
| Metal Forming | 53.50 | 32.86 | 391.59 | 420.94 | -7.0% |
| Other | 27.17 | 29.11 | 351.53 | 454.24 | -22.6% |
| Total | $367.99 | $428.35 | $3,757.70 | $3,716.22 | 1.1% |
Domestic
Machine tool consumption is also reported on a regional basis for five geographic breakouts within the United States. Here are the figures for October:
- Northeast Region
In the Northeast region, machine tool consumption stood at $74.02 million, down 9.6% compared to September’s $81.85 million and down 6.7% compared to October, 1999. Year-to-date machine tool consumption rose to $638.36 million, up 11.4% from the comparable figure for 1999. - Southern Region
In the Southern region machine tool consumption checked in at $40.78 million, 24.7% lower than September’s $54.17 million and 30.9% lower than the total for last October. The year-to-date total, $544.76 million, was down 2.7% compared to the same period in 1999. - Midwestern Region
In the Midwest, the monthly total was $113.96 million, down 28.7% compared to September’s $159.78 million, and down 41.4% compared to last October. The year-to-date total stands at $1,367.82 million, 14.6% lower than the comparable figure for last year. - Central Region
In the Central region, the total was at $75.17 million, down 1.1% from September’s $76.05 million, but 13% higher than October, 1999. The year-to-date figure was $642.91 million, up 7.6% compared to last year. - Western Region
In the Western region, the total was $64.05 million, up 13.4% compared to September’s $56.50 million and up 51.3% compared to October a year ago. At $563.85 million, the year-to-date figure was up 46.5% compared to the same period in 1999.
Related links:
- AMT's web site www.mfgtech.org
- AMTDA's web site www.amtda.org
