May U.S. manufacturing technology consumption totaled $313.74 million, according to the American Machine Tool Distributors’ Association and the Association For Manufacturing Technology. This total, as reported by companies participating in the USMTC program, was up 6.5% from April, but down 6.5% from the total of $335.52 million reported for May 2006. With a year-to-date total of $1,606.13 million, 2007 was up 7.5% compared with 2006.
These numbers and all data in this report are based on the totals of actual data reported by companies participating in the USMTC program.
Growth this year, while less robust than in 2006, has now stabilized in the high, single digit range,” said John J. Healy, AMTDA president. “In addition, each of the regions in the U.S. has shown growth in the first five months of 2007.”
The U.S. 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 machine tool 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 U.S.
Northeast Region
Manufacturing technology consumption in the Northeast Region in May totaled $46.97 million, 4.4% less than April’s $49.12 million and 5.7% less than in May 2006. With a year-to-date total of $254.01 million, 2007 was running 12.2% ahead of 2006 at the same time.
Southern Region
May manufacturing technology consumption in the Southern Region rose to $51.38 million, 33.6% higher than the $38.45 million tallied in April and up 27.6% when compared with May a year ago. The year-to-date total of $209.00 million was 1.8% more than the comparable figure in 2006.
Midwestern Region
Midwestern Region manufacturing technology consumption in May stood at $95.92 million, up 17.9% when compared with April’s $81.34 million, but 7.4% less than the May 2006 total. At $453.71 million, year-to-date 2007 was 1.0% ahead of 2006 at the same time.
Central Region
At $83.79 million, May Central Region manufacturing technology consumption was 6.6% higher than April’s $78.60 million, but 1.9% less than the total for May 2006. The year-to-date tally of $442.06 million was 16.7% higher than the comparable figure for 2006.
Western Region
Western Region manufacturing technology consumption in May was $35.67 million, 24.0% less than April’s $46.94 million, and down 36.7% when compared with May 2006. With a year-to-date total of $247.35 million, 2007 was running 5.6% higher than at the same time in 2006.
