Automated metalworking machine in a U.S. manufacturing plant.
The U.S. manufacturing technology sector has reported a significant surge in new orders for metalworking machinery, with May 2026 figures reaching $583.4 million. This represents a substantial 47.8% increase compared to May 2025, underscoring robust economic activity and a positive outlook among manufacturers, despite a minor 1.8% dip from the previous month.
For the year-to-date period ending May 2026, total orders have climbed to $2.77 billion, marking a 31.9% rise over the same period in 2025. This sustained growth indicates that U.S. manufacturers are actively investing in expanding their productive capacities, driven by anticipation of increased output and a growing demand for automation solutions to address the nearly half a million open manufacturing positions.
While contract machine shops have seen a decrease in orders since late 2025, the aerospace industry has emerged as a key driver of growth through capital investments. Additionally, the industrial machinery sector has experienced a notable uptick, largely fueled by the construction and equipping of new data centers, with May 2026 orders in this segment reaching their highest value since November 2017.
These trends suggest that business investment may exceed initial forecasts for 2026. The strong order book for manufacturing technology is also building ahead of IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show, which is expected to further stimulate demand in the latter half of the year.
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