The Economy

Cutting Tool Consumption Rose in June, Still Down YTD

Aug. 11, 2016

U.S. manufacturers’ consumpton of cutting tools rose 5.8% from May to June, but the overall market conditions continue to be difficult. The results are down 7.1% year-on-year, and -8.8% YTD.

Robert Brooks

U.S. manufacturers’ consumpton of cutting tools rose 5.8% from May to June, totaling $175.35 million, but the overall market conditions continue to be difficult. The latest figure is down 7.1% year-on-year, and the cumulative total for U.S. cutting-tool consumption for the first six months of 2016 is $1.03 billion, 8.8% lower than the consumption total at midyear 2015.

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The monthly Cutting Tool Market Report is offered as an index to overall manufacturing activity (comparable, as shown, to manufacturers’ shipments of durable goods) because tools must be replaced relatively frequently during manufacturing processes.

These figures are drawn from the monthly Cutting Tool Market Report, Cutting tool consumption is tracked by the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI) and AMT – the Association for Manufacturing Technology in the monthly Cutting Tool Market Report (CTMR.) The report includes data from a majority of the cutting-tool manufacturers and distributors in domestic manufacturing. As cutting tools are a primary consumable product involved in the production process for multiple industrial sectors, the report provides an up-to-date index to U.S. manufacturers’ overall activity.

“Certainly, seeing a jump in shipments between May and June is welcome news but we saw this same event last year only to be disappointed again by July shipments,” commented Steve Stokey, president of USCTI. “All indicators continue to point to a weak outlook as we search for a bottom to the current trend.”

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About the Author

Robert Brooks | Content Director

Robert Brooks has been a business-to-business reporter, writer, editor, and columnist for more than 20 years, specializing in the primary metal and basic manufacturing industries. His work has covered a wide range of topics, including process technology, resource development, material selection, product design, workforce development, and industrial market strategies, among others. Currently, he specializes in subjects related to metal component and product design, development, and manufacturing — including castings, forgings, machined parts, and fabrications.

Brooks is a graduate of Kenyon College (B.A. English, Political Science) and Emory University (M.A. English.)