Machine Tool Orders Down 33.7% Over Year

U.S. machine tool orders fell 33.7% in December to $209.75 million from a year earlier but rose 13.7% from November’s $184.40 million, the National Machine Tool Builders’ Assn. said.

In its monthly statistical report, the trade association said total machine tool shipments were $384.45 million, up 31.4% from a year ago and up 22.6% from the $313.70 million posted the previous month.

Foreign orders totaled $30.4 million in December, compared to $36.2 million for November.

“We are pleased with the rise in shipments in 1989,” Albert Moore, association president, said. Exports rose 47%, with foreign metal-cutting shipments up 72%, he said.

“More exports are absolutely essential if U.S. manufacturers are to regain the strength they’ve lost in recent years,” he said.

Total orders for metal-forming tools fell 8.2% last month to $50.95 million from November’s $55.5 million. In 1988, December tool orders totaled $70.1 million.

Metal-forming shipments totaled $71.2 million in December, a 16.3% drop from November’s $85.1 million total, and off 14.4% from the December, 1988, total of $83.20 million.

Metal-cutting tool orders rose 23.2% last month to $158.8 million and dipped 35.6% from a year ago, when orders totaled $246.40 million.

Metal-cutting shipments rose 37.0% to $313.25 million in December and up 49.6% from a year ago.

The association said the backlog of orders in December was $1.802 billion, down from the backlog of $1.977 billion in November.