Machine Tool Exports Climb 20% in Quarter
U.S. machine tool exports fell in April from March, but surged 20.9% during the first four months compared to the same period last year, the Assn. for Manufacturing Technology said in a report released today.
In April, machine tool exports fell to $85.5 million from $100.5 million in March, according to the association of U.S.-based machine tool manufacturers.
In the first four months, however, exports reached $375 million, 20.9% above the same period of 1989 and were on track to break the record export total of $1 billion that was set in 1981, the association said.
NMTBA President Albert Moore said “the recent long-overdue decision to liberalize export restrictions on machine tool sales to Eastern Europe means even greater sales opportunities for U.S. producers as these countries convert to market economies.”
The association said the largest U.S. machine tool export market is Canada, with sales of $78.9 million during the first four months, up from $33 million in the year-ago period.
Other major U.S. machine tool export markets in the first four months of 1990 include Mexico with $37.6 million, Britain with $32.3 million and South Korea with $32.1 million.
“Other manufacturing technology” exports--not included in the general machine tool category--reached $148 million in April, down from $162 million in March. In the first four months, exports were at $598 million. The association did not keep statistics for such items in 1989.
“Other manufacturing technology” includes industrial robots, plastics production machinery, numerical controls--such as computers--for machine tools, industrial process controls, and parts and accessories.
Canada is also the largest U.S export market for other manufacturing technology, with sales of $147.1 million in January-April.
U.S. machine tool imports jumped in April to $194.4 million from $168.3 million in March. Yet, during the first four months, imports were $732.9 million, down 7.2% from the same period of 1989, for a U.S. machine tool trade deficit of $357.9 million.
Imports from Japan, by far the largest foreign supplier of machine tools to the United States, dropped 22% in the first four months from a year ago, while imports from West Germany, the second-largest foreign supplier, were up slightly.
Other manufacturing-technology imports were $180.4 million in the first four months, for a U.S. trade deficit of $32.4 million in the sector.
Metal-cutting machine tool exports were $43.6 million in April, while imports were $155 million. April metal-forming machine tool exports were $41.9 million and imports were $39.4 million, the association said.
