December U.S. manufacturing technology orders totaled $491.89 million according to AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology. This total, as reported by companies participating in the USMTO program, was up 9.9% from November and up 11.8% when compared with the total of $439.90 million reported for December 2012. With a year-end total of $4,939.58 million, 2013 was down 5.1% compared with 2012.
“With a strong finish to 2013 for manufacturing technology orders, plus strong reports for durable goods, capacity utilization, and PMI, there is plenty of favorable momentum for the industry going into 2014,” said Douglas K. Woods, AMT President. “The average age of corporate fixed assets is at almost 22 years, and interest rates are historically low. This one-two punch is creating a ripe atmosphere for investment in capital equipment, which we anticipate will translate into more great news for manufacturing growth.”
The United States Manufacturing Technology Orders (USMTO) report, compiled by the trade association representing the production and distribution of 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.
U.S. manufacturing technology orders are also reported on a regional basis for six geographic breakdowns of the United States.
Northeast Region
Manufacturing technology orders in the Northeast Region in December totaled $65.47 million, down 13.5% when compared with November’s $75.65 million and down 2.5% when compared with December 2012. With a year-end total of $808.79 million, 2013 was up 4.7% when compared with 2012.
Southeast Region
At $45.46 million, December Southeast Region manufacturing technology orders were 20.7% less than the December 2012 total. Year-end orders stood at $452.20 million, down 16.7% when compared with 2012.
North Central-East Region
December manufacturing technology orders in the North Central-East Region totaled $138.82 million, 11.3% higher than November’s $124.72 million and up 37.8% when compared with December 2012. At $1,286.90 million, the 2013 year-end total was 3.0% less than the comparable figure for 2012.
North Central-West Region
With a year-end total of $924.26 million, 2013 North Central-West Region manufacturing technology orders were off 10.1% when compared with 2012.
South Central Region
The South Central Region manufacturing technology orders 2013 year-end total of $749.06 million was down 13.2% from the year-end total for 2012.
West Region
Manufacturing technology orders in the West Region in 2013 totaled $718.37 million, 6.6% higher than the 2012 year-end total.
To read the full report, click here.