Machine Tool Sales Jump Nearly 35%

Sales of US machine tools continued to rise in November with equipment purchases increasing 34.8% during the month compared to October sales, according to the latest figures available from the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association (AMTDA, Rockville, MD) and AMT-The Association for Manufacturing Technology (McLean, VA).

For November, US machine tool sales reached $210.25 million versus October sales of $156.02 million. The month's sales also were up 54.7% from the $135.94 million in sales reported in November 2002, but year-to-date sales of $1.796 billion declined 8.5% compared to the $1.964 billion for the same period in 2002. The data are based on the totals reported by companies participating in the USMTC program.

"The stars are aligned for a steady manufacturing recovery in 2004," according to Ralph J. Nappi, AMTDA president. "Economic data and anecdotal evidence indicate monetary and tax policy is having the impact many hoped for in the manufacturing community. 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."

Regional sales showed increases during November in the Central (115.5%), Midwest (33.9%), and Northeast regions (23.3%), while sales declined in the West (-18.6%) and South regions (-12.9%) versus October sales. Year-to-date sales regionally rose in the South (5.1%) versus YTD 2002 sales, but fell in the West (-21.6%), Northeast (-18.7%), Central (-13.5%), and Midwest regions (-4.4%).