January U.S. manufacturing technology orders off 12.2 percent from year ago

January U.S. manufacturing technology orders totaled $370.62 million according to AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology. This total, as reported by companies participating in the United States Manufacturing Technology Consumption (USMTC) program, was down 26.5 percent from December and down 12.2 percent when compared with the total of $422.33 million reported for January 2012. With a year-to-date total of $370.62 million, 2013 is down 12.2 percent 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 USMTC program.

"The drop-off between December and January is typical for technology orders, and it’s important to keep in mind that orders were exceptionally strong at the end of 2012, outperforming much of the broader economy," said Douglas K. Woods, AMT President. "While the manufacturing economy continues to be strong, we may see its growth undercut by fiscal uncertainty due to the impact from sequestration."

The USMTC report, jointly compiled by the trade association representing the production and distribution of manufacturing technology, provides regional and national U.S. consumption data of domestic and imported machine tools and related equipment. Analysis of manufacturing technology consumption provides a reliable leading economic indicator as manufacturing industries invest in capital metalworking equipment to increase capacity and improve productivity.

U.S. manufacturing technology consumption also is reported on a regional basis for five geographic breakdowns of the United States.

Northeast Region — Manufacturing technology orders in the Northeast Region in January totaled $50.0 million, down 34.1 percent from December’s $75.83 million and down 17.0 percent when compared with the January 2012 figure. At $50.0 million, 2013 year-to-date is down 17.0 percent when compared with 2012 at the same time.

Southern Region — Southeast Region manufacturing technology orders totaled $35.53 million in January, down 47.6 percent from the $67.84 million total for December but 34.4 percent higher than the total for January 2012. The year-to-date total of $35.53 million is 34.4 percent more than the comparable figure for 2012.

North Central-East Region — At $98.54 million, January manufacturing technology orders in the North Central-East Region were down 15.1 percent when compared with the $116.01 million total for December and down 13.1 percent when compared with January a year ago. With a year-to-date total of $98.54 million, 2013 is down 13.1 percent when compared with 2012 at the same time.

North Central-West Region — January manufacturing technology orders in the North Central-West Region totaled $72.41 million, 34.1 percent lower than December’s $109.92 million and down 4.0 percent when compared with the January 2012 figure. At $72.41 million, the 2013 year-to-date total is 4.0 percent less than the comparable figure for 2012.

South Central Region — January manufacturing technology orders in the South Central Region totaled $72.44 million, 8.1 percent higher than December’s $67.02 million but down 25.8 percent when compared with the January 2012 figure. At $72.44 million, the 2013 year-to-date total is 25.8 percent less than the comparable figure for 2012.

West Region — West Region manufacturing technology orders in January stood at $41.69 million, down 38.6 percent from the December total of $67.89 million and 15.3 percent lower than the figure for January 2012. The $41.69 million year-to-date total is 15.3 percent below the total for the same period in 2012.