If spending on machine tools is any indication, the state of the US manufacturing industry is vibrant, according to data collected and collated by US publisher Gardner Business Media, the North American media partner of ETMM parent Vogel Business Media.

According to the December issue of the Gardner magazine Modern Machine Shop, information from companies around the US indicates that spending on machine tools will rise 19% to $7.4 billion.

This predicted rise follows a trend, according to Travis Egan, publisher of Modern Machine Shop. Speaking with the ETMM Show Daily on Wednesday, Egan noted that US demand for machine tools has been rising over the past few years. According to Gardner and market estimates, spending since 2011 has been above 2008 levels.

Egan also cited reshoring, the return of metalworking business to the US from Asia, as another factor for the rising demand for machining equipment.

Looking at the sector, Egan pointed to aerospace and oil and gas as areas that have been displaying the largest spending growth for machine tools over the past few years. "Die and mould has been a very strong area," Egan added.

Purchases at US job shops are forecast to jump some $700 million to nearly $2.6 billion next year, according to the survey.