Machine Tool Consumption Falls June to July

July U.S. manufacturing technology consumption totaled $303.44 million, according to AMTDA, the American Machine Tool Distributors'Association, and AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology. This total, as reported by companies participating in the USMTC program, was down 21.5% from June but up 5.7% 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% compared with 2007.

These numbers and all data in this report are based on the totals of actual data reported by companies participating in the USMTC program.

Despite the consecutive 1.3% 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,"said Peter Borden, AMTDA President. "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 United States Manufacturing Technology Consumption (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% when compared with June's $52.63 million, but 13.9% higher than the July 2007 total. At $374.16 million, the 2008 year-to-date total is 1.8% less than the comparable figure for 2007.

Southern Region
July manufacturing technology consumption in the Southern Region totaled $41.51 million, 41.0% less than June's $70.39 million, and down 7.8% when compared with the total for July a year ago. The $428.86 million year-to-date total is up 39.0% 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% when compared with June's $127.89 million and down 14.4% when compared with July a year ago. With a year-to-date total of $878.43 million, 2008 is 33.4% ahead of the comparable figure for 2007.

Central Region
July manufacturing technology consumption in the Central Region rose to $100.17 million, 14.8% more than June's $87.23 million, and up 34.3% when compared with July 2007. The $648.80 million year-to-date total is 5.3% 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% less than June's $48.21 million, but 6.5% higher than the total for last July. The $324.88 million year-to-date total is down 2.7% when compared with 2007 at the same time.