U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $175 million in April 2014, according to the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute and AMT (Association For Manufacturing Technology). This total was up 2.1 percent from March’s total and down 3.3 percent from April 2013. “The economic indicators continue to resonate in the metalworking industry exhibiting a return to growth. This is the second consecutive month over month increase”, said Tom Haag, president of U.S. Cutting Tool Institute. “This slow but positive growth is forecast to continue in the second half of 2014.” The analysis of cutting tool consumption is a leading indicator of both upturns and downturns in U.S. manufacturing activity, as it is a true measure of actual production levels.
