U.S. machine shops’ new orders for capital equipment have been lagging for much of the past two years, but this month’s International Manufacturing Technology Show offered some evidence that demand may be building: over six days, September 12-17, IMTS 2016 drew 115,612 registered attendees and over 2,400 exhibitors.
More detail on sales of equipment in connection with IMTS 2016 will be available in November, when the September U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders report is issued by AMT - the Association for Manufacturing Technology.
The 2,407 exhibitors at IMTS 2016 were the most in the history of the event, and filled the largest volume of exhibit space (1,370,256 sq.ft.) at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
The number of registrations represents the third-highest total of the 31 presentations of the biannual manufacturing technology expo.
“IMTS has grown not only in size, but in the overall scope of manufacturing,” commented Peter R. Eelman, v.p. – Exhibitions & Business Development for AMT, which owns and manages IMTS. “There are more compelling reasons for people to attend. Whether they come to research new technology, evaluate vendors before purchasing, find solutions or connect with the leaders in the manufacturing industry, there is simply no substitute for attending IMTS.”
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