Machinery orders slow from August, yet '25 demand proves resilient
September new orders of metalworking machinery declined 7.2% from August but increased year over year from September 2024, according to the latest U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Report published by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology.
Machinery orders for the year up through September totaled $3.93 billion, a 17.3% increase over the first three quarters of 2024.
September's total of $493.1 million was the highest order value for a September since 2022. It was the first time since September 2011 that orders exceeded the level from the year prior, when an IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show was held.
Despite the strong growth in order values, the number of units ordered continues to grow at a slower pace, as September 2025 had the second-lowest number of units ordered during a September since 2009. In the past, this trend has been attributed to increased demand for automation; however, amid the ongoing government shutdown, the loss of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics has clouded the causal factors.
While total orders fell 7.2% from August 2025 to September, orders from contract machine shops were nearly flat, declining 1.6%. Despite this outperformance, job shops continue to lag the market in 2025, with the value of machinery orders up 12% in the first three quarters, compared to the 17.3% growth seen in the total market.
Automotive manufacturers increased orders to the highest level of 2025, yet units were at the third-lowest level of the year. There has been a general lull in orders from the automotive sector following large investments in new production lines made in 2021 and 2022. Through September 2025, orders are up nearly 15% over the first three quarters of 2024, as some OEMs retool production lines away from electric vehicle production.
Demand for manufacturing technology has proven resilient in 2025 despite multiple economic headwinds; however, the fourth quarter could be the toughest test yet. In announcing the latest interest rate cut, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell likened the lack of access to statistics due to the ongoing government shutdown to driving in a fog.
Forecasts presented at AMT’s annual MTForecast conference predicted some industrial slowdown in 2026, but whether that will affect manufacturing technology orders in the remainder of 2025 is still an open question.
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The September/October issue of Industrial Supply magazine features an in-depth cover story about American Producers Supply. 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.
