February U.S. manufacturing technology orders totaled $444.06 million according to AMT — The Association for Manufacturing Technology. This total, as reported by companies participating in the USMTO program, was up 9.3 percent from January and up 35.2 percent when compared with the total of $328.44 million reported for February 2011.
These numbers and all data in this report are based on the totals of actual data reported by companies participating in the USMTO program.
“Manufacturing technology orders are off to their best start since 1998,” said AMT President Douglas K. Woods. “U.S. manufacturers continue to seek increases in productivity through automation and innovative technologies to increase their global competitiveness.”
The United States Manufacturing Technology Orders (USMTO) report, compiled by the trade association representing the production and distribution of manufacturing technology, provides regional and national U.S. orders data of domestic and imported machine tools and related equipment. Analysis of manufacturing technology orders provides a reliable leading economic indicator as manufacturing industries invest in capital metalworking equipment to increase capacity and improve productivity.
U.S. manufacturing technology orders are also reported on a regional basis for five geographic breakdowns of the United States.
Northeast Region
Northeast Region manufacturing technology orders totaled $53.14 million in February, 5.7% percent less than the $56.34 million total for January and 3.7 percent less than the total for February 2011.
Southern Region
At $53.30 million, February manufacturing technology orders in the Southern Region were up 45.2 percent when compared with the $36.71 million total for January and up 54.2 percent when compared with February a year ago.
Midwest Region
February manufacturing technology orders in the Midwest Region totaled $164.43 million, 14.1 percent more than January’s $144.14 million and up 46.6 percent when compared with the February 2011 figure.
Central Region
Central Region manufacturing technology orders in February stood at $132.21 million, 1.9 percent more than the January total of $128.82 million and 32.2 percent higher than last February’s total.
Western Region
Manufacturing technology orders in the Western Region in February totaled $41.99 million, up 4.1 percent from January’s $40.32 million and up 53.7 percent when compared with the February 2011 figure.
What is the USMTO Report?
The United States Manufacturing Technology Orders (USMTO) Report, measures manufacturing technology net new orders every month based on gross order and cancellation data collected from America’s distributors and builders of manufacturing technology. The report provides national U.S. consumption data of domestic and imported machine tools and related equipment, as well as on a regional basis for five geographic breakdowns of the United States. These orders include both domestically produced manufacturing technology and products that have some non-U.S. content, but have some work added domestically. Increases in dollar volume of manufacturing technology orders show that more manufacturing work on the end product is occurring in the U.S.
What is Manufacturing Technology?
Manufacturing technology encompasses everything between raw materials and finished product. Manufacturing technology turns raw materials such as steel, iron, plastic, ceramics, composites, and alloys from their original shape as stock materials into what will become durable goods such as airplanes, cars, and appliances we use every day.
Why is the USMTO Important?
Analysis of manufacturing industries investment levels in capital metalworking equipment to increase capacity and improve productivity has historically provided a reliable leading economic indicator for the recovery or softening of America’s industrial base.
Manufacturing technology orders are truly an indication of the vitality of America’s industrial base. Changes in orders are a confirmation of recovery, often establishing an upturn or downturn long before the traditional indicators identify a recovery in full bloom.
By collecting data from distributors and builders are orders reported twice?
Duplications are eliminated using a software program that identifies orders sold to the same customer. Non-U.S. builders who sell into this market are included and the data reported in the USMTO Report represents more than 65 percent of the U.S. manufacturing technology market and nearly 80 percent of the market.
Who owns the USMTO Report?
The report is compiled by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology who represents the production and distribution of manufacturing technology.