MCLEAN, VA — August U.S. manufacturing technology orders totaled $371.97 million according to AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology. This total, as reported by companies participating in the USMTO program, was up 4.9% from July but down 18.1% when compared with the total of $454.19 million reported for August 2012. With a year-to-date total of $3,107.16 million, 2013 is down 8.0% compared with 2012.

These numbers and all data in this report are based on the totals of actual data reported by companies participating in the USMTO program.

“We’re finding many reasons for optimism within the manufacturing economy. In addition to the monthly gain for USMTO, the latest Purchasing Managers Index was at 56.2, its highest reading in more than two years,” said Douglas K. Woods, AMT president. “Because of manufacturing’s international connectivity, we also welcome the improvements seen in the global markets in Europe and Asia. These gains are expected to continue for U.S. manufacturing as we head toward 2014, but all of this hinges on avoiding a government-induced economic derailment.”

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

Northeast Region manufacturing technology orders in August totaled $61.46 million, down 18.2% when compared with July’s $75.10 million. With a year-to-date total of $522.43 million, 2013 is up 6.3% when compared with 2012 at the same time.

North Central-East Region

North Central-East Region manufacturing technology orders in August stood at $95.67 million, up 16.9% when compared with July’s $81.85 million but down 10.8% when compared with August 2012. The $800.29 million year-to-date total is 7.4% less than the comparable figure for 2012.

North Central-West Region

Manufacturing technology orders in the North Central-West Region in August totaled $70.33 million, up 20.2% from  July which was $58.52 million but 22.4% less than the August 2012 total. At $575.06 million, 2013 year-to-date is 6.9% less than the total for 2012 at the same time.     

South Central Region

South Central Region manufacturing technology orders totaled $50.05 million in August, down 15.3% from the $59.09 million tallied in July.