MCCLEAN, VA — The U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders report for March 2016 showed that orders grew 36.9 percent compared to the previous month, according to The Association For Manufacturing Technology. However, orders still were down 11.8 percent compared to March 2015, and stand at 15 percent down year-to-date compared to the same point a year ago.

Though the monthly gain appears significant, it is important to note that many manufacturing technology firms close the fiscal year on March 31, which in turn drives activity for orders and sales.