Intelligence

Manufacturers gain an edge by creating value closer to demand. The “proximity revolution” combines execution, ecosystems, and innovation.

Many smaller exhibitors can outperform larger ones by focusing on the right strategies before and during IMTS. With smart planning, targeted outreach, and the right tools, even a 10-by-10 booth can generate enough leads to fuel a sales pipeline for a year.

The MFG Meeting recap; New AMT board of directors; What comes next with tariffs; and more.

Missed The MFG Meeting 2026? Here’s a brief recap: AI in action, smarter strategy, economic signals, and new defense and biomanufacturing opportunities shaping what comes next.

AMT has elected its 2026-2027 board of directors to guide the organization and industry through a period of accelerating demand for advanced manufacturing capabilities. Newly elected are Steve Carlson, Milton Guerry, and Jim King.

The Federal Reserve kept interest rates steady today at a target range of 3.5%-3.75% in a move that was widely anticipated by financial markets. The quarterly summary of economic projections showed that both growth and inflation was higher than expected.

Harry Moser, the founder and president of The Reshoring Initiative and winner of the 2026 Albert W. Moore Leadership Award, is committed to rebuilding domestic manufacturing capacity by delivering practical tools and actionable strategies to manufacturers.

Are you skilled at using industry data to make business decisions and want to serve our industry? Join AMT's Economics & Statistics Committee to help make data more useful and relevant for members navigating a rapidly changing manufacturing landscape.

Shipments of cutting tools totaled $220.7 million in January 2026, increasing 2.7% from December 2025 and 9.9% from January 2025. While the dollar value of shipments increased in January, the number of units shipped decreased slightly from December.

New orders of metalworking machinery totaled $441.4 million in January 2026, a decline of 45.8% from December 2025’s record high and an increase of 24.4% over January 2025. The number of units ordered fell to the lowest level since July 2024.