American industrialist Henry Ford once wrote, “The motor enabled machinery to be arranged according to the sequence of work, and that alone has probably doubled the efficiency of industry.”
IMTS is not only where people observe change, but also where they decide how to put it to work. The data from IMTS 2026 reflects that impact.
New orders of metalworking machinery, measured by the U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Report, totaled $732.9 million in August 2026.
The next arsenal of democracy will be an allied arsenal – but its ability to produce, repair, and surge must be firmly rooted in the United States.
Traveling through Europe with the SMW team broadened my perspective on manufacturing.
This September, manufacturers filled McCormick Place to see technology in action, talk directly with experts, and consider what could make a difference in their own operations.
China’s 15th Five-Year Plan targets $1.6 trillion in manufacturing investment by 2030, split across $550 billion for traditional industry, $700 billion for emerging tech, and $250 billion for future industries like AI and quantum.
Terms to familiarize yourself with as you face the implementation of artificial intelligence.
Making smarter decisions about investments, hiring, production planning, and growth – and focusing on what measures create lasting success in manufacturing.
IMTS 2026 drew more than 90,000 registrants, including an estimated 15,000 students, from all 50 states and 113 countries.