McLean, Va. (May 19, 2026) — Shipments of cutting tools, measured by the Cutting Tool Market Report, a collaboration between AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology and the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI), totaled $259.3 million in March 2026. Orders increased 15.2% from February 2026 and were up 24.6% from March 2025. Year-to-date shipments totaled $705.1 million, up 15.9% from the same period in 2025. Unit shipments increased in each of the past two months, with a modest rise from January to February followed by a larger increase from February to March.
“Most machine shops are booking customer orders for all types of manufactured components at a pace not seen for several years, driving the demand for tooling and new equipment,” said Jack Burley, chairman of AMT’s Cutting Tool Product Group and president of Big Daishowa, a cutting tool manufacturer. “As a result, the March total for cutting tool shipments broke all records, a clear indication that toolmakers are working hard to meet delivery demands and maintain inventory. Behind the good news are concerns about increasing costs and shortages of tungsten carbide and high-speed steel, as well as the escalating price of oil and gas due to the conflict in the Middle East.”
Costikyan Jarvis, president of cutting tool manufacturer Jarvis Cutting Tools, said: “Anyone reviewing this data should be cautious about interpreting dollar growth as demand growth in an environment where the cost inflation of raw materials is running at historic levels. However, the March 2026 results may also reflect a significant buy-ahead effort, with customers anticipating price increases or supply disruptions. Sustained demand strength will need to be confirmed over the coming months before the industry can draw meaningful conclusions about the underlying trend.”
The Cutting Tool Market Report is jointly compiled by AMT and USCTI, two trade associations representing the development, production, and distribution of cutting tool technology and products. It provides a monthly statement on U.S. manufacturers’ consumption of the primary consumable in the manufacturing process, the cutting tool. Analysis of cutting tool consumption is a leading indicator of both upturns and downturns in U.S. manufacturing activity, as it is a true measure of actual production levels.
AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology represents U.S.-based providers of manufacturing technology – the advanced machinery, devices, and digital equipment that U.S. manufacturing relies on to be productive, innovative, and competitive. Located in McLean, Virginia, near the nation’s capital, AMT acts as the industry’s voice to accelerate the pace of innovation, increase global competitiveness, and develop manufacturing’s advanced workforce of tomorrow. With extensive expertise in industry data and market intelligence, as well as a full complement of international business operations, AMT offers its members an unparalleled level of support. AMT also produces IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show, the premier manufacturing technology event in North America. Learn more at AMTonline.org.
The United States Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI) was formed in 1988 and resulted from a merger of the two national associations representing the cutting tool manufacturing industry. USCTI works to represent, promote, and expand the U.S. cutting tool industry and to promote the benefits of buying American-made cutting tools manufactured by its members. The Institute recently expanded its by-laws to include any North American manufacturer and/or remanufacturer of cutting tools, as well as post-fabrication tool surface treatment providers. Members, which number over 80, belong to seven product divisions: Carbide Tooling, Drill & Reamer, Milling Cutter, PCD & PCBN, Tap & Die, Tool Holder and All Other Tooling. A wide range of activities includes a comprehensive statistics program, human resources surveys and forums, development of product specifications and standards, and semi-annual meetings to share ideas and receive information on key industry trends.
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