ROCKVILLE, MD—U.S. machine tool consumption in May totaled $185.67 million, according to figures compiled through the U.S. Machine Tool Consumption (USMTC) program.

This total was up 7.7 percent from April, but down 29.8 percent from the total of $264.60 million reported in May 2001.

"The signs that life is creeping back into manufacturing are there. Even machine tool orders are up 8 percent from April, continuing the upward trend started in February," says Don Carlson, president of the Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT). "The increase in machine tool orders appears to be building momentum into the summer."

The American Machine Tool Distributors’ Association and AMT jointly compiled the USMTC report.