September U.S. machine tool consumption totaled $294.84 million, according to AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology, and AMTDA, the American Machine Tool Distributors’ Association. This total, as reported by companies participating in the USMTC program, was down 2.4% from August and down 20.5% from the total of $370.66 million reported for September 2004. With a year-to-date total of $2,280.56 million, 2005 was up 10.2% compared with 2004.

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

“The September results capped a strong third quarter for U.S. machine tool orders,” said John B. Byrd III, AMT President. “Indicators suggest that this trend will continue given the improved U.S. currency position and manufacturers’ solid profitability. In addition, high energy costs are helping to make off-shore manufacturing less attractive.”

The United States Machine Tool 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. machine tool consumption is also reported on a regional basis for five geographic breakdowns of the United States.

Northeast Region

At $31.74 million, Northeast Region machine tool consumption in September was up 11.5% compared with August’s $28.46 million, but down 41.9% when compared with September 2004. The year-to-date total of $300.41 million was 2.2% lower than the comparable figure last year.

Southern Region

September machine tool consumption in the Southern Region rose to $41.49 million, 3.8% higher than August’s $39.97 million, but 13.8% lower than last September’s total. At $367.24 million, the year-to-date total was up 18.8% compared with 2004 at the same time.

Midwestern Region

Midwestern Region machine tool consumption in September stood at $120.51 million, down 6.2% from August’s $128.49 million and down 14.2% when compared with the previous September. The $843.32 million year-to-date total was 4.8% higher than the comparable figure for 2004.

Central Region

Machine tool consumption in the Central Region in September totaled $65.26 million, 4.7% less than August’s $68.48 million and 15.3% less than the total for September 2004. The year-to-date total of $472.65 million was up 21.9% compared with the total at the same time in 2004.

Western Region

September Western Region machine tool consumption was $35.83 million, down 2.0% from the $36.57 million total for August and down 28.8% when compared with September 2004. At $296.95 million, the year-to-date total was 13.7% higher than the comparable figure in 2004.










USMTC November 14, 2005 pdf