US Manufacturing Technology Orders Decline in January After Record December
New orders for metalworking machinery declined in January 2026 following a record-setting December, according to the latest U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders (USMTO) Report released by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology.
The report shows that manufacturing technology orders totaled $441.4 million in January 2026, representing a 45.8% decrease from December 2025’s record high. Despite the month-over-month drop, orders were 24.4% higher than January 2025, indicating continued year-over-year growth.
Units Ordered Fall from December Peak
The number of units ordered declined 42.8% from December 2025 to January 2026, reaching the lowest level since July 2024. The figure is also close to the trough seen following the surge in order activity that occurred after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manufacturing technology orders often fluctuate at the beginning of the year following strong year-end purchasing, when manufacturers typically finalize capital equipment investments before closing annual budgets.
Industry Activity Shows Mixed Signals
According to the report, several customer industries recorded lower orders in January, though some sectors experienced growth.
Christopher Chidzik, principal economist at AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, noted that the decline was widely expected following December’s unusually strong performance.
Chidzik also highlighted growth among manufacturers producing motor vehicle transmission and powertrain components, whose January orders nearly tripled compared with December. Orders from this sector reached their highest level since April 2015, reflecting shifting production priorities within the automotive industry.
The increase coincides with some manufacturers adjusting product strategies to emphasize internal combustion and hybrid vehicle powertrains.
Indicator for Manufacturing Investment
The USMTO program tracks capital investment in manufacturing technology across the United States. The report is maintained by AMT, which represents manufacturers and distributors of metalworking machinery along with suppliers of tooling, workholding, automation and inspection equipment used in modern production environments.
Because it measures capital equipment purchasing, the USMTO report is widely used as an indicator of manufacturing investment trends and future production activity.
Although January orders declined compared with December’s historic levels, the year-over-year increase suggests that manufacturers continue to invest in production capacity as 2026 begins.
