September manufacturing technology consumption up 66.1 percent

September U.S. manufacturing technology consumption totaled $399.76 million, according to AMTDA, the American Machine Tool Distributors’ Association and AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. This total, as reported by companies participating in the USMTC program, was up 66.1 percent from August and up 156.8 percent when compared with the total of $155.69 million reported for September 2009. With a year-to-date total of $2,090.27 million, 2010 is up 74.1 percent compared with 2009.

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

"September 2010 was a watershed in the recovery from the recession of 2008-9. The 1,992 units sold this month is the highest number since September of 2008 and demonstrates the resilience and staying power of the U.S. manufacturing base," said Peter Borden, AMTDA president. "More remarkably, this was done while many factories are running below the capacity levels that require capital goods purchases, despite the tight credit, and in spite of questions about government debt and potential tax increases. The catalysts of the successful IMTS, the weaker dollar, and the passage of bonus depreciation paid surprising and long awaited dividends."

The United States Manufacturing Technology Consumption (USMTC) report, jointly compiled by the two trade associations 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 consumption in the Northeast Region in September stood at $64.44 million, 66.3 percent higher than August's $38.76 million and 77.3 percent above the September 2009 total. The year-to-date total of $362.73 million was 53.4 percent more than the comparable figure for 2009.

Southern Region — September manufacturing technology consumption in the Southern Region totaled $66.85 million, up 119.9 percent when compared with the $30.40 million total for August and up 389.4 percent when compared with September a year ago. The $308.65 million 2010 year-to-date total was 86.4 percent higher than the total for the same period last year.

Midwest Region — At $121.80 million, September manufacturing technology consumption in the Midwest Region was 49.0 percent more than August's $81.75 million and up 157.6 percent when compared with last September. The $629.19 million 2010 year-to-date total was 84.4 percent above the 2009 total at the same time.

Central Region — Manufacturing technology consumption in the Central Region in September stood at $114.99 million, 77.0 percent more than the August total of $64.95 million and 238.3 percent higher than the total for September 2009. With a year-to-date total of $561.03 million, 2010 was up 94.0 percent when compared with 2009 at the same time.

Western Region — With a total of $31.68 million, September Western Region manufacturing technology consumption was up 27.5 percent when compared with August's $24.84 million and up 29.8 percent when compared with September a year ago. At $228.66 million, 2010 year-to-date was 36.0 higher than the comparable figure a year ago.