McLean, Va. (March 9, 2026) — New orders of metalworking machinery, measured by the U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Report published by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, totaled $441.4 million in January 2026. This was a decline of 45.8% from December 2025’s record high and an increase of 24.4% over January 2025. The number of units ordered in January 2026 fell to the lowest level since July 2024, near the trough following the post-COVID peak.
Every year between December and January, orders of manufacturing technology decline. The 3.5% drop between December 2006 and January 2007 was the smallest recorded. Compared with orders placed in January of other years, 2026 had the highest value since 2022, yet the number of units was the lowest since 2010, near the trough of the 2008 financial crisis.
Unsurprisingly, with a 45.8% monthly decline, nearly every industry group tracked saw a decrease in manufacturing technology orders between December 2025 and January 2026. After the upside surprise in December orders, a decline was expected, and the rate of decline from a particular customer industry cannot be used as evidence of shifting trends. Among the growing industries, manufacturers of motor vehicle transmission and powertrain parts nearly tripled their January orders over December 2025. Machinery orders from this industry reached their highest level since April 2015, amid auto manufacturers’ retreat from electric vehicle production in favor of internal combustion and hybrid vehicles.
The value of manufacturing technology orders began growing in the fourth quarter of 2024 due to increasing demand for automation and a changing mix of customer industries. However, the number of units ordered has not increased proportionally over the same period. The number of units ordered in January 2026 is comparable to recovery periods for manufacturing technology orders on an absolute level and in January-to-January trends. An economy driven by healthy consumer activity and sustained capital investment will ensure a solid foundation of demand for manufacturing technology in the coming years, so long as customers can find their footing long enough to sign an order.
The United States Manufacturing Technology Orders (USMTO) Report is based on the totals of actual data reported by companies participating in the USMTO program. This report, compiled by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, provides regional and national U.S. orders data of domestic and imported machine tools and related equipment. Analysis of manufacturing technology orders provides a reliable leading economic indicator as manufacturing industries invest in capital metalworking equipment to increase capacity and improve productivity. USMTO.com.
AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology represents U.S.-based providers of manufacturing technology – the advanced machinery, devices, and digital equipment that U.S. manufacturing relies on to be productive, innovative, and competitive. Located in McLean, Virginia, near the nation’s capital, AMT acts as the industry’s voice to accelerate the pace of innovation, increase global competitiveness, and develop manufacturing’s advanced workforce of tomorrow. With extensive expertise in industry data and market intelligence, as well as a full complement of international business operations, AMT offers its members an unparalleled level of support. AMT also produces IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show, the premier manufacturing technology event in North America. Learn more at AMTonline.org.
IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show is where the creators, builders, sellers, and drivers of manufacturing technology come to connect and achieve the impossible. Attendees discover advanced manufacturing solutions that include innovations in CNC machining, automation, robotics, additive, software, AI, and transformative digital technologies that are driving the industry forward. Owned and produced by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, IMTS is the largest and most defining trade event for manufacturing technology in the Western Hemisphere. With more than 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space, the show attracts visitors from more than 110 countries. IMTS 2024 had 89,020 registrants, featured 1,609 exhibiting companies, and included a Student Summit that attracted 14,713 visitors. IMTS 2026 will be held Sept. 14-19, 2026, at McCormick Place in Chicago. Discover more at IMTS.com and connect with IMTS on social.
