Machine tool consumption rises in November

November U.S. machine tool consumption totaled $210.25 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 34.8% from October, and up 54.7% from the total of $135.94 million reported for November 2002. With a year-to-date total of $1,796.70 million, 2003 is down 8.5% compared to the same period in 2002.



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 stars are aligned for a steady manufacturing recovery in 2004. Economic data and anecdotal evidence indicate monetary and tax policy is having the impact many hoped for in the manufacturing community," said Ralph J. Nappi, AMTDA President. "But a fragile recovery it may be unless Congress makes a genuine effort at dealing with the increasing costs for business and consumers in areas like health care and frivolous litigation."



The United States Machine Tool 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 machine tool consumption provides a reliable leading economic indicator as manufacturing industries invest in capital metalworking equipment to increase capacity and improve productivity.







U.S. machine tool consumption is also reported on a regional basis for five geographic break-downs of the United States.



Northeast Region - November machine tool consumption in the Northeast Region rose to $25.08 million, up 23.3% from October's $20.34 million and up 40.0% when compared to November of the previous year. The year-to-date total of $233.98 million was down 18.7% from the comparable figure for 2002.



Southern Region - Southern Region machine tool consumption in November stood at $19.83 million, down 12.9% from October's $22.78 million and down 29.3% from the figure for November 2002. With a year-to- date total of $345.21 million, 2003 is running 5.1% higher than 2002 at the same time.



Midwestern Region - At $88.69 million, November machine tool consumption in the Midwestern Region was up 33.9% from October's $66.25 million, and 80.6% higher than November a year before. Year-to-date 2003 consumption rose to $722.62 million, 4.4% less than 2002 at the same time.



Central Region - With a November total of $62.16 million, Central Region machine tool consumption was up 115.5% from October's $28.85 million and 148.8% higher than the total for November 2002. The year-to-date total of $325.21 million was 13.5% less than the comparable figure a year earlier.



Western Region - November machine tool consumption in the Western Region totaled $14.49 million, down 18.6% from October's $17.79 million, and down 8.8% when compared to November a year ago. The year-to-date total of $169.68 million was off 21.6% compared to 2002 at the same time.











SOURCE: AMTDA-American Machine Tools Distributors' Association. For further
information on the association's activities such as the AMTDA Directory and/or
Distributor Opportunities click here.

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