Machine tool consumption may come at slower pace

Even though spending for machine tools has been strong in 2005, the trade organizations that compile the U.S. Machine Tool Consumption report expect that investment to continue at a slower pace. "Expectations for capital equipment investment will continue, although at a more moderate pace as we move further into the second half of 2005," says Ralph J. Nappi, president of the American Machine Tool Distributors Assoc.(AMTDA). The latest report from AMTDA and AMT -- The Association for Manufacturing Technology, shows July U.S. machine tool consumption decreased 4.1 percent from June figures, but up 22.4 percent from the total reported for the same period in 2004. July tool consumption totaled $250.11 million. Overall, 2005 investment is up 14.8 percent against 2004 with a year-to-date total of $1,713.22 million. Visit amtonline.org and amtda.org for more information.