Purchases of cutting tools by U.S. machine shops and other manufacturers rose to $175.21 million during August, up 19.2% from the July figure ($146.95 million) and up 4.3% compared to the August 2015 result ($167.91 million.) The figures are drawn from the latest release of the Cutting Tool Market Report, a monthly update to purchases of cutting tools presented by the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute and AMT – the Assn. for Manufacturing Technology.
The figures in the report are based on totals reported by companies participating in the CTMR program, and represent the majority of the U.S. market for cutting tools.
The report’s sponsors note that cutting tools are the primary consumable product for manufacturing, making cutting tool consumption a reliable leading indicator of activity in that segment of the industrial economy.
For the first eight months of 2016, cutting tool consumption totaled $1.352 billion, which signifies a decline of 8.3% compared to January-August 2015.
American Machinist is an IndustryWeek companion site within Penton's Manufacturing & Supply Chain Group.
About the Author
Robert Brooks
Content Director
Robert Brooks has been a business-to-business reporter, writer, editor, and columnist for more than 20 years, specializing in the primary metal and basic manufacturing industries. His work has covered a wide range of topics, including process technology, resource development, material selection, product design, workforce development, and industrial market strategies, among others. Currently, he specializes in subjects related to metal component and product design, development, and manufacturing — including castings, forgings, machined parts, and fabrications.
Brooks is a graduate of Kenyon College (B.A. English, Political Science) and Emory University (M.A. English.)