May U.S. manufacturing technology orders totaled $351.93 million according to the Association For Manufacturing Technology (AMT). This total, as reported by companies participating in the United States Manufacturing Technology Orders (USMTO) program, was down 10.0 percent from April and down 17.5 percent when compared with the total of $426.40 million reported for May 2013. With a year-to-date total of $1,971.83 million, 2014 is down 1.4 percent compared with 2013.
 
These numbers and all data in this report are based on the totals of actual data reported by companies participating in the USMTO program.
 
“Expectations for the 2014 manufacturing technology market were for a soft first half of the year, followed by a stronger second half. The fluctuations seen in the past few months are on track with forecasts, and all indications are that U.S. manufacturing activity is and will remain strong,” said Douglas K. Woods, AMT President. “The PMI continues to stay above 50, capacity utilization is on the rise, and both auto sales and aerospace backlogs are growing, all indications that our customers’ businesses are healthy. We expect continued investments in capital expansion through year’s end.”
 
The 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.

To read the full release, go to http://www.amtonline.org/newsroom/AMTPressRoom/july142014usmtonewsreleaseformaymanufacturingtechnologyorders.htm