WASHINGTON -- US manufacturing technology orders increased more than expected in February, up 19.6% from January, according to the latest US Manufacturing Technology Orders report.

Orders were up 1.7% year-over-year, says from AMT, the manufacturing trade group that compiles the data.

“We anticipated an increase in orders after a soft January, but we are surprised by the strength of the February numbers,” said AMT President Douglas K. Woods. “What’s even more encouraging is the pickup wasn’t a spike related to any specific industry or region, but rather was broad-based – from Northeast to West as well as everything from aerospace to consumer products. This activity reinforces our projections for a full recovery in manufacturing technology orders by the end of the second quarter.”

While all regions reported growth, the Northeast grew 41%, led by the small arms and aerospace industries. Nationally, aerospace had the largest growth rate, more than doubling January’s total. There was also surprising strength reported in appliances; medical devices; and off-road and highway equipment.

The February data are aligned with other key indicators of the manufacturing sector’s health. For example, every component of the March Purchasing Managers Index was up; the Federal Reserve’s manufacturing output data had its best back-to-back monthly increases in three years; and durable goods orders and housing starts climbed in February.

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