May 2011 U.S. manufacturing technology orders (formerly referred to as manufacturing technology consumption) totaled $388.27 million, according to AMTDA, the American Machine Tool Distributors’ Association and AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology. This total, reported by companies participating in the USMTO program, was down 2.6% from April but up 121.3% when compared to $175.46 million in May 2010.

With a year-to-date total of $1,984.87 million, 2011 is up 108.0% compared with 2010.

"The May order numbers confirm our members’ reports of continued strong project levels by manufacturing companies to improve productivity in their factories," said Peter Borden, AMTDA president. "The 2000 unit-per-month level signifies a very healthy demand still in place as we head toward the close of the second quarter."

The United States Manufacturing Technology Orders (USMTO) report is jointly compiled by the two trade associations and represents the production and distribution of domestic and imported machine tools and related equipment. Analysis of manufacturing technology orders is intended to provide a leading economic indicator as manufacturing industries invest in capital metalworking equipment to increase capacity and improve productivity.