Manufacturing Technology Orders Up 11% in December

Feb. 11, 2014
December U.S. manufacturing technology orders were up 9.9% from November and up 11.8% from December 2012.

December U.S. manufacturing technology orders totaled $491.89 million—up 9.9% from November and up 11.8% when compared with the total of $439.90 million reported for December 2012, according to The Association For Manufacturing Technology (AMT).

With a year-end total of $4.9 billion, 2013 was down 5.1% 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 United States Manufacturing Technology Orders (USMTO) program.

“With a strong finish to 2013 for manufacturing technology orders, plus strong reports for durable goods, capacity utilization, and PMI, there is plenty of favorable momentum for the industry going into 2014,” said Douglas K. Woods, AMT President. “The average age of corporate fixed assets is at almost 22 years, and interest rates are historically low.

This one-two punch is creating a ripe atmosphere for investment in capital equipment, which we anticipate will translate into more great news for manufacturing growth.”

U.S. manufacturing technology orders are also reported on a regional basis for six geographic breakdowns of the United States.

Northeast Region: Manufacturing technology orders in the Northeast Region in December totaled $65.47 million, down 13.5% when compared with November’s $75.65 million and down 2.5% when compared with December 2012. With a year-end total of $808.79 million, 2013 was up 4.7% when compared with 2012.

Southeast Region: At $45.46 million, December Southeast Region manufacturing technology orders were 20.7% less than the December 2012 total. Year-end orders stood at $452.20 million, down 16.7% when compared with 2012.

North Central-East Region: December manufacturing technology orders in the North Central-East Region totaled $138.82 million, 11.3% higher than November’s $124.72 million and up 37.8% when compared with December 2012. At $1,286.90 million, the 2013 year-end total was 3.0% less than the comparable figure for 2012.

North Central-West Region: With a year-end total of $924.26 million, 2013 North Central-West Region manufacturing technology orders were off 10.1% when compared with 2012.

South Central Region: The South Central Region manufacturing technology orders 2013 year-end total of $749.06 million was down 13.2% from the year-end total for 2012.

West Region: Manufacturing technology orders in the West Region in 2013 totaled $718.37 million, 6.6% higher than the 2012 year-end total.