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What Fed Chair Powell’s Address Means for Manufacturing

Aug 23, 2024

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McLean, Va. (August 23, 2024) — Today, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell gave the most concrete signal yet that interest rate cuts are on the horizon at his Jackson Hole press conference. For manufacturers and those in the industry closely watching the developments and anticipating IMTS 2024 – The International Manufacturing Technology Show, the outlook is promising.

“The increased likelihood of a September rate cut after Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s Jackson Hole address will likely boost manufacturing technology orders through the remainder of 2024, further amplifying the residual effects of an IMTS show year,” says Christopher Chidzik, principal economist at AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. “With capacity utilization rates remaining at historically elevated levels in industrial sectors, additional investment in capital equipment will be necessary for manufacturers to address any sudden spikes in demand without a return of supply-side inflationary pressures.”

IMTS, the largest manufacturing technology trade show in the Western Hemisphere, will be held Sept. 9-14 at McCormick Place in Chicago. For more information and to register, visit IMTS.com.


About AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology

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 speed the pace of innovation, increase global competitiveness, and develop manufacturing’s advanced workforce of tomorrow. With extensive expertise in industry data and 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. AMTonline.org.

About IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show

IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show is where the creators, builders, sellers, and drivers of manufacturing technology come to connect and be inspired. Attendees discover advanced manufacturing solutions that include innovations in CNC machining, automation, robotics, additive, software, inspection, and transformative digital technologies that drive our future forward. Powered by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, IMTS is the largest manufacturing technology show and marketplace 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 2022 had 86,307 registrants, featured 1,816 exhibiting companies, saw over 7,600 people attend educational events, and included a Student Summit that introduced the next generation to manufacturing. Be the change at IMTS 2024, Sept. 9-14, 2024. Inspiring the Extraordinary. IMTS.com.

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Kristin Bartschi
Director, Marketing & Communications
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