McLean, Va. (December 8, 2025) — New orders of metalworking machinery, measured by the U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Report published by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, totaled $538.9 million in October 2025. This was a 9% increase from September 2025 and a 40.3% increase from October 2024. Machinery orders tracked by USMTO through October 2025 totaled $4.47 billion, a 19.7% increase over the first 10 months of 2024.
Both the value and the number of units ordered in October were the highest since March 2023. It was the third month in 2025 to surpass $500 million in new machinery orders – the most since 2021, when six months saw investments above $500 million. Despite widespread fears about the economy, manufacturers continue to invest in metalworking machinery due to renewed tax incentives and sustained demand for manufactured goods from both consumers and government entities.
October orders from contract machine shops, the largest customer of manufacturing technology, were the largest since March 2023. Despite the high dollar value, the number of units ordered was the same as in September 2024 – but with a 13.2% lower order value. The trend of expanding average order values in this industry underscores the increased demand for automation at all levels of the supply chain.
October saw the highest order value from aerospace manufacturers since March 2025. This investment comes one month before the end of the government shutdown, which saw a significant number of Pentagon contract announcements, as well as the end of the Boeing defense workers’ strike. These developments could foreshadow additional orders before the end of the year, given the sector’s rising capacity constraints.
Manufacturers of engines, turbines, and other power transmission equipment also increased orders significantly in October, reaching their highest value since February 2023 and the highest number of units since March 2022. Continued demand for electricity from data centers is prompting additional investment in new generation capacity and extending the life of some coal-fired plants that were slated for decommission.
While numerous experts have predicted a mild industrial downturn in 2026, opportunities remain for manufacturing technology providers in sectors that have been outperforming the overall economy. Stay tuned to the latest USMTO reports to learn what industries are expanding capacity, and be sure to attend AMT’s Winter Economic Forum on Jan. 30 to get the latest outlook for the manufacturing landscape in 2026.
To learn more about how the USMTO data can be applied to your business, engage with AMT Research Services.
The United States Manufacturing Technology Orders (USMTO) Report is based on the totals of actual data reported by companies participating in the USMTO program. This report, compiled by AMT – The Association For 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. USMTO.com.
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.
IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show is where the creators, builders, sellers, and drivers of manufacturing technology come to connect and be inspired. Attendees discover advanced manufacturing solutions that include innovations in CNC machining, automation, robotics, additive, software, inspection, and transformative digital technologies that drive our future forward. Powered by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, IMTS is the largest manufacturing technology show and marketplace in the Western Hemisphere. With more than 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space, the show attracts visitors from more than 110 countries. IMTS 2024 had 89,020 registrants, featured 1,737 exhibiting companies, and included a Student Summit that attracted 14,713 visitors. Be the change at IMTS 2026, Sept. 14-20, 2026. Inspiring the Extraordinary. IMTS.com.
