IMTS Drives Manufacturing Technology Orders Above $1 Billion in September

U.S. manufacturing technology orders surpassed $1 billion in September 2026, setting a new monthly record as investment increased following IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show. The latest figures from AMT – The Association for Manufacturing Technology show strong growth in machinery demand across several manufacturing industries.

According to AMT's September 2026 U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders (USMTO) Report, new orders for metalworking machinery totaled $1,007.3 million, representing a 38.0% increase from August and a 101.7% increase compared with September 2025.

Through the first nine months of 2026, manufacturing technology orders reached $5.76 billion, up 45.0% from the same period in 2025.

The September total established a new monthly investment record, exceeding the previous high set in December 2025 by 22.5%. The number of new machines ordered also reached its highest level since September 2014, coinciding with the previous IMTS show.

September marked the seventh consecutive month in which manufacturing technology orders exceeded $500 million, setting the longest such streak recorded by USMTO.

Automation and Machinery Demand Influence Investment Trends

The increase in manufacturing technology investment reflects several factors, including inflation, demand for automation, and manufacturers' efforts to expand production capacity.

Since October 2021, growth in the average value of manufacturing technology orders has outpaced inflation. However, September data showed a change in the relationship between order value and machine volume, with the number of units ordered increasing at its fastest rate since July 2024 relative to the growth in order value.

AMT's analysis suggests this shift could indicate that a larger share of buyers prioritized shorter delivery times over additional automation features. If the trend continues, it may point to growing capacity constraints among machinery manufacturers, potentially influencing purchasing decisions and equipment lead times.

Contract Machine Shops Lead Manufacturing Technology Orders

Contract machine shops, the largest customer industry for manufacturing technology, continued to increase machinery investment in September.

Orders from job shops reached a record level, nearly 25% higher than the previous monthly record set in August 2026. The number of machines ordered also reached its highest level since September 2014.

While contract machine shops often influence broader manufacturing technology investment cycles, their equipment purchases generally involve less automation than investments made by some other manufacturing sectors.

The aerospace industry, for example, continues to invest in increasingly complex and automated manufacturing solutions.

Aerospace Manufacturing Investment Reaches New Highs

Manufacturers of aerospace products and parts recorded new highs in both the value and number of manufacturing technology orders in September 2026.

Order values increased 5.0% above the previous peak established in December 2025, while the number of machines ordered rose 8.9%.

The increased investment comes as aerospace manufacturers prepare for higher production volumes. Oxford Economics estimates that aerospace industry output will grow approximately 5% annually through 2030.

Industry capacity expansion plans from major aircraft manufacturers, including Boeing and Airbus, are also expected to contribute to demand for manufacturing equipment. These production targets could require additional capital investment as aerospace manufacturers address existing capacity constraints and growing demand for machined components.

Automotive Manufacturing Orders Show Mixed Results

Manufacturing technology orders from automotive manufacturers reached their highest level since July 2020, reflecting increased investment across portions of the automotive supply chain.

However, investment trends varied among individual automotive manufacturing segments.

Manufacturers of automotive transmissions have reduced investment following several months of elevated spending associated with production adjustments away from battery-electric vehicle components and toward traditional internal combustion engine and hybrid powertrains.

Motor vehicle stamping activity has remained relatively subdued in the post-pandemic period, aside from a modest increase in May 2026. Changes in vehicle design strategies, including fewer body-style variations introduced annually, may be contributing to the trend.

The automotive sector illustrates how manufacturing technology investment can vary considerably among customer industries, even when overall machinery demand is increasing.

Manufacturing Technology Orders Outlook for 2026 and 2027

Manufacturing technology orders received a significant boost in September from activity surrounding IMTS 2026. Based on the outlook discussed at MTForecast, AMT anticipates that orders could remain elevated through the end of 2026 and into 2027, although investment levels may vary among customer industries.

The current manufacturing technology investment expansion began in September 2024. Factors supporting demand include increased interest in automation, production requirements in industries with extended backlogs and lead times, and defense manufacturing activity.

These factors could help support machinery investment even if broader capital spending slows.

AMT's analysis also points to continued demand for machined components and elevated capacity utilization as potential drivers of future equipment purchases. Manufacturers that established new business relationships and identified opportunities at IMTS 2026 may convert those prospects into machinery orders in the months ahead.

September's record-setting results highlight the role of manufacturing technology investment in supporting production capacity, automation initiatives, and evolving equipment requirements across the U.S. manufacturing sector.