US cutting tool consumption totals $223.47 million in August

The graph above includes the 12-month moving average for the durable goods shipments and cutting tool orders. These values are calculated by taking the average of the most recent 12 months and plotting them over time.

According to the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI) and AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, August U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $223.47 million. This total, as reported by companies participating in the Cutting Tool Market Report collaboration, was up 11.2% from July 2018’s $200.97 million and up 13.9% when compared with the $196.23 million reported for August 2017.

These numbers and all data in this report are based on the totals reported by the companies participating in the CTMR program. The totals here represent the majority of the U.S. market for cutting tools.

"August results posted double-digit increases from the previous month, previous year to date and previous year over year. August also set a new record for total monthly sales. The volume of cutting tools being consumed reflects the good backlogs in metal cutting tool shops across the United States," says Phil Kurtz, vice chairman of Wetmore Tool and Engineering. "While the increases may cool off through the fourth quarter it appears the run rate will remain very strong."

According to Chris Kaiser, president and CEO of BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling, "Our year-to-date sales reflect what we have seen from the data until  August with a 12%-plus increase. More machine tools have been sold this year than last. Everyone is equipping their new machines with cutting tools and toolholders. We’ve seen increases in aerospace, defense, and fracking pumps. Automotive, mining, construction, and agriculture are good, but not as strong as those previous industries."

The Cutting Tool Market Report is jointly compiled by AMT and USCTI, two trade associations representing the development, production and distribution of cutting tool technology and products. It provides a monthly statement on U.S. manufacturers’ consumption of the primary consumable in the manufacturing process – the cutting tool. Analysis of cutting tool consumption is a leading indicator of both upturns and downturns in U.S. manufacturing activity, as it is a true measure of actual production levels.