MCLEAN, VA-April U.S. machine-tool consumption (USMTC) totaled $257.39 million, according to The Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT) and the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association. This total, as reported by companies participating in the USMTC program, was down 8.3% from March but up 29.0% from the total of $199.60 million reported for April 2004.

With a year-to-date total of $969.35 million, 2005 was up 18.6% compared with 2004. These numbers and all data in this report are based on the totals of actual data reported by companies participating in the USMTC program.

"The continued impressive increases in investment in advanced manufacturing equipment demonstrate that industry recognizes the need to invest in productivity enhancing technologies in order to remain competitive," says John B. Byrd III, AMT president.