US Cutting Tool Consumption Fell 4.3% in 2016

U.S. manufacturers consumed $176.04 million worth of cutting tools during December 2016, +4.4% from November, +12.5% than December 2015, and bringing total 2016 consumption to $2.042 billion, 4.3% lower than the 12-month total for 2015.

Robert Brooks (DNU)

Feb. 23, 2017

2 min read

Cutting tools are a primary consumable for machine shops and other manufacturing operations, and the consumption of those products serves as an index to their production volumes, comparable to manufacturers’ durable goods shipments.

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AMT and USCTI identify cutting tools as the primary consumable in manufacturing: consumption of cutting tools is an indicator of
manufacturing activity, comparable to manufacturers’ durable goods shipments.

Cutting tool consumption data is contained in the Cutting Tool Market Report published monthly by AMT - the Assn. for Manufacturing Technology and the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute to track current activity by machine shops and comparable manufacturing businesses. CTMR results represent actual dollar figures reported by participating companies, who represent the majority of the U.S. market for cutting tools.

The CTMR is distinct from AMT’s monthly U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Report, also released recently and also indicating a rise in demand during December. However, the USMTO measures future activity as reflected by demand for new production capability;.

“The cutting tool market data continues to show signs of strengthening,” according to Steve Stokey, president of USCTI. “There is a great deal of positive chatter in most manufacturing sectors that would indicate there are high expectations for 2017. This should drive higher demand for cutting tools.”

This article originally appeared in American Machinist.