MT orders predictably decline in January after historic December
By Christopher Chidzik
New orders of metalworking machinery totaled $441.4 million in January 2026, according to the latest U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Report published by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology.
This was a decline of 45.8% from December 2025’s record high and an increase of 24.4% over January 2025. The number of units ordered in January 2026 fell to the lowest level since July 2024, near the trough following the post-COVID peak.
Every year between December and January, orders of manufacturing technology decline. The 3.5% drop between December 2006 and January 2007 was the smallest recorded. Compared with orders placed in January of other years, 2026 had the highest value since 2022, yet the number of units was the lowest since 2010, near the trough of the 2008 financial crisis.
Unsurprisingly, with a 45.8% monthly decline, nearly every industry group tracked saw a decrease in manufacturing technology orders between December 2025 and January 2026. After the upside surprise in December orders, a decline was expected, and the rate of decline from a particular customer industry cannot be used as evidence of shifting trends.
Among the growing industries, manufacturers of motor vehicle transmission and powertrain parts nearly tripled their January orders over December 2025. Machinery orders from this industry reached their highest level since April 2015, amid auto manufacturers’ retreat from electric vehicle production in favor of internal combustion and hybrid vehicles.
The value of manufacturing technology orders began growing in the fourth quarter of 2024 due to increasing demand for automation and a changing mix of customer industries. However, the number of units ordered has not increased proportionally over the same period. The number of units ordered in January 2026 is comparable to recovery periods for manufacturing technology orders on an absolute level and in January-to-January trends.
An economy driven by healthy consumer activity and sustained capital investment will ensure a solid foundation of demand for manufacturing technology in the coming years, so long as customers can find their footing long enough to sign an order.
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The January/February issue of Industrial Supply magazine features an in-depth cover story about Grainger. Plus, we're featuring articles by contributing writers Dr. Bharani Nagarathnam and Frank Hurtte, as well as interviews with numerous product and distribution industry experts.
