Chris is currently the Principal Economist at AMT – The Association for Manufacturing Technology where he examines trends in the overall economy that affect the demand for manufacturing technology. For over five years, Chris has managed surveys which compile the data necessary to get a full picture of the U.S. manufacturing landscape. Prior to AMT, Chris held varied roles in data analytics, research, sales, and marketing in an array of industries and settings. Chris holds a master’s degree in economics from The American University.
Chris is currently the Principal Economist at AMT – The Association for Manufacturing Technology where he examines trends in the overall economy that affect the demand for manufacturing technology. For over five years, Chris has managed surveys which compile the data necessary to get a full picture of the U.S. manufacturing landscape. Prior to AMT, Chris held varied roles in data analytics, research, sales, and marketing in an array of industries and settings. Chris holds a master’s degree in economics from The American University.
Manufacturing Technology’s Resilience to Economic Headwinds
In the midst of the recession caused by the 2008 financial crisis, orders for metalworking machinery totaled around $95 million in Jan. 2009, the lowest level recorded. Although orders grew scarcer, businesses continued to invest in manufacturing tech.
March 2025 US Cutting Tool Orders Total $207.1M, Up 4.3% From February
Shipments of cutting tools, measured by the Cutting Tool Market Report compiled by AMT and USCTI, totaled $207.1 million in March 2025. Orders increased 4.3% from February 2025, fell 4.2% from March 2024, and totaled $605.6 million year to date.
Machinery Demand Keeps Momentum Ahead of Rising Economic Uncertainty
New orders of metalworking machinery, measured by the USMTO Report published by AMT, totaled $515.8 million in March 2025, the highest monthly value since March 2023. March 2025 orders increased 33.8% from February 2025 and were up 20.5% from March 2024.
February 2025 US Cutting Tool Orders Total $198.6M, Down 0.7% From January
Shipments of cutting tools, measured by the Cutting Tool Market Report compiled in a collaboration between AMT and USCTI, totaled $198.6 million in February 2025. Orders decreased 0.7% from January 2025 and were down 9.2% from February 2024.
Manufacturing Machinery Orders Increase in February 2025
New orders of metalworking machinery totaled $389.9 million in February 2025, a 9.9% increase from January and a 12.5% increase from February 2024.
School Supplies (and Demand) — for a Manufacturing Education
Prior to 2012, educational institutions would order, on average, only about $10 million of manufacturing technology per year. Beginning in 2012, those purchases began to accelerate, resulting in orders being over five times higher by 2024.
January 2025 US Cutting Tool Orders Hit $199.9M, Up 9.2% From December
Shipments of cutting tools, measured by the Cutting Tool Market Report compiled in a collaboration between AMT and USCTI, totaled $199.9 million in January 2025. Orders increased 9.2% from December 2024 but were down 4.1% from January 2024.
Manufacturing Technology Orders Post Strongest January Since 2022
Orders of manufacturing technology totaled $357.3 million in January 2025, down 29.8% from December but up 5.7% from January 2024. While the order value was 16.2% higher than an average January, the units ordered were the lowest for any January since 2016.
December 2024 US Cutting Tool Orders Total $179.5 Million, Down 0.6% Year to Date From 2023
Shipments of cutting tools, measured by the Cutting Tool Market Report compiled in a collaboration between AMT and USCTI, totaled $179.5 million in December 2024, down 2% from November 2024. Shipments totaled $2.43 billion for 2024, down 0.6% from 2023.
Manufacturing Technology Orders Fall for 3rd Year; Beat Expectations
Orders of manufacturing technology, measured by the USMTO report published by AMT, totaled $513.8 million in December 2024, the highest level since March 2023. This showed an increase of 15% from November 2024 and was 5.4% behind December 2023.