MC LEAN, VA--January U.S. manufacturing technology orders totaled $365.06 million according to AMT - The Association for Manufacturing Technology. This total, as reported by companies participating in the USMTO program, was down 25.2% from December but up 1.3% when compared with the total of $360.31 million reported for January 2013.

These numbers and all data in this report are based on the totals of actual data reported by companies participating in the USMTO program.

“While monthly order totals are down from December, January is always a soft month and more so this year due to an unusually harsh winter. Overall the news for manufacturing remains positive, with an improving housing market and strong indicators for near-term capital investment,” said Douglas K. Woods, AMT president. “We are still optimistic for a strong 2014 and 2015 for manufacturing technology orders, especially as we move through an IMTS year.”

The United States Manufacturing Technology Orders (USMTO) report, compiled by the trade association representing the production and distribution of 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.

U.S. manufacturing technology orders are also reported on a regional basis for six geographic breakdowns of the United States. 

Northeast Region

Manufacturing technology orders in the Northeast Region in January were up 7.8% when compared with January 2013. 

Southeast Region

At $37.36 million, January Southeast Region manufacturing technology orders were down 17.8% from December’s $45.46 million but up 8.9% when compared with last January’s $34.30 million.

North Central-East Region

January manufacturing technology orders in the North Central-East Region totaled $92.84 million a 32.3% drop from December’s $137.12 million and 9.5% less than the $102.62 million for January 2013.

North Central-West Region

The North Central-West Region January 2014 manufacturing technology order total of $55.71 million was off 18.2% from the $68.14 million tallied in January 2013.

South Central Region

South Central Region manufacturing technology orders in January 2014 totaled $51.57 million.

West Region

Manufacturing technology orders in the West Region in January were up 11.5% from December and up 93.7% when compared with January a year ago.