AMT President says manufacturing is coming back to life

John B. Byrd III, president of AMT-The Association for Manufacturing Technology, is encouraged by recent reports indicating North American manufacturing is showing signs of growth.

"June's machine tool orders put purchases of manufacturing technology equipment up nearly 32 percent from 2003," Byrd said. "This, coupled with the addition of 91,000 manufacturing jobs in the first six months of this year, shows that U.S. manufacturing is coming back to life."

Machine tool orders are expected to continue to climb as manufacturers work hard to take advantage of the 50 percent expensing allowance that will expire on December 31. To be eligible for the allowances, new equipment purchases must be in place before the end of the year.

AMT sponsors the International Manufacturing Technology Show, to be held September 8-15 in Chicago.