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Articles by Kathy Keyes
International News From the Field: India's Momentum Continues Into Spring 2026
India's manufacturing sector entered the March-April 2026 period on solid ground. The country's manufacturing PMI registered 53.9 in March, comfortably in expansion territory, though slightly softer than February's 56.9. Cost pressures, supply disruptions in key raw materials (such as aluminum, chemicals, and fuel), and broader market uncertainty contributed to the modest dip.
AMT NOW: Navigating a Shifting Trade Environment
IMTS 2026 underscores how core capabilities and tech are evolving to enable higher productivity and smarter capital investment decisions, shaping the next era of U.S. manufacturing. Southeast Asia's manufacturing markets are modernizing quickly, and the region's trade shows are the best place to see it firsthand. Here's your 2026 guide to what's happening and where to go. February 2026 U.S. cutting tool shipments totaled $225.1 million, up 2% from January and 12.8% from February 2025.
February 2026 US Cutting Tool Shipments Totaled $225.1M, Up 12.8% From February 2025
READ FULL PRESS RELEASE. McLean, Va. (April 14, 2026) — Shipments of cutting tools, measured by the Cutting Tool Market Report, a collaboration between AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology and the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI), totaled $225.1 million in February 2026. Orders increased 2% from January 2026 and were up 12.8% from February 2025. Year-to-date shipments totaled $445.8 million, up 11.3% from the same period in 2025.
International News From the Field: Navigating Southeast Asia's Trade Shows
The manufacturing landscape in Southeast Asia is poised for a transformative year in 2026. While the China Plus One diversification strategy continues to provide a steady tailwind, the region is rapidly evolving from a cost-competitive production base into a sophisticated hub for high-value industrial technology.
AI-Enabled Robotics for High-Mix Manufacturing
At the MFG Meeting session, “AI-Enabled Robotics: Unlocking High-Mix Manufacturing Today,” Simon Lapeyry, head of revenue at Intrinsic (an AI robotics group within Google), outlined how advances in artificial intelligence are transforming automation for high-mix production environments. Due to increasingly agile development cycles and evolving demand for personalized products, modern production systems require greater flexibility.
Exploring Automation at IMTS 2026
Automation built American manufacturing, and it’s about to reshape it again. With the 2026 edition of IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show on the horizon, automation is moving beyond a technical focus to become a strategic lever for addressing workforce constraints, accelerating productivity, and strengthening U.S. competitiveness. Our industry faces a structural workforce gap, with roughly 495,000 open jobs in January 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
IMTS 2026 Showcases Foundational Technologies
DOWNLOAD FULL PRESS RELEASE McLean, Va. (April 2, 2026) — The manufacturers at the center of the $2.95 trillion U.S. manufacturing economy will find the core technologies and machines they need to accelerate production at IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show. IMTS 2026, the largest manufacturing technology show in the Western Hemisphere, runs Sept.
AMT NOW: Signals, Strategy, and What’s Next for Manufacturing
Connect with the right people the first time. IMTS Exhibitor Passport allows you to quickly and easily deliver your marketing message to a targeted audience of manufacturing technology buyers. Get the best price before the early bird rate ends on April 30, 2026. Digital tools and advanced manufacturing capabilities help defense suppliers improve visibility, scale production, and strengthen the broader industrial base.
Size Doesn’t Matter: How Smaller Exhibitors Can Maximize ROI at IMTS 2026
For many companies, IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show is the most important week of the year. Well, every other year at least. It’s where new relationships start, deals take shape, and innovations in manufacturing get the spotlight. But with a show as massive as IMTS – which spans 1.2 million square feet, features more than 1,300 exhibitors, and welcomes 100,000 attendees – it’s easy for smaller booths to feel overshadowed by towering displays and multistory exhibits.
International News From the Field: China's Trade in Transition
China's economy grew 5% year over year in 2025, reaching a GDP of approximately $19.5 trillion, according to China’s National Bureau of Statistics. Manufacturing investment contributed to that growth, with secondary industry investment rising 2.5%, even as fixed-asset investment overall declined.
Spring Forward With Updates From ARM, Haimer, Hwacheon, Machinery Systems, Meltio, and More
AMT Member News is your source for updates on major promotions, new appointments, facility inaugurations, and other noteworthy developments within the manufacturing technology community. Stay informed and join us in recognizing the achievements of your fellow members.
Momentum of Late-2025 Machinery Demand Carries Into the First 2 Months of 2026
DOWNLOAD FULL PRESS RELEASE. McLean, Va. (April 13, 2026) — New orders of metalworking machinery, measured by the U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Report published by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, totaled $488.9 million in February 2026. The value of manufacturing technology orders increased 10.7% over January 2026 and 27.4% over February 2025. The total value of 2026 orders through February has reached $930.5 million, 26% above the first two months of 2025.
Executive Insights, Real Connections: Inside The MFG Meeting 2026
The MFG Meeting 2026 showed that manufacturing’s future will be defined not just by technology but also by how people think, lead, and act. Industry leaders came together to connect and tackle a central challenge: navigating rapid change. The program covered digital manufacturing, applying artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, understanding the economic outlook, rethinking strategy and decision-making, and identifying new opportunities in defense and biomanufacturing.
AMT Announces 2026-27 Board of Directors at The MFG Meeting in March
McLean, Va. (March 26, 2026) — AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, which represents U.S.-based providers of manufacturing technology, has elected its 2026-2027 board of directors to guide the organization and industry through a period of accelerating demand for advanced manufacturing capabilities. Michael Cicco, president and CEO of FANUC America Corp., continues his term as chairman.
International News From the Field: India Cements Its Manufacturing Ambitions
India’s manufacturing environment has remained positive. Government spending on infrastructure continues at a steady pace, domestic demand remains strong, and global supply chains are still gradually shifting toward India. From December 2025 through February 2026, India announced significant investments across the automotive, aerospace, electronics, semiconductor, energy equipment, and industrial machinery sectors.
Al Moore Award Winner Harry Moser Reignites Domestic Manufacturing
AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology presented Harry Moser with its prestigious Albert W. Moore AMT Leadership Award on March 12, 2026, at The MFG Meeting 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “Harry Moser has been one of the most relentless and effective advocates for U.S. manufacturing in our generation,” said AMT President Doug Woods.
Tariffs: What Comes Next Matters More Than What Just Happened
The new 10% global tariff is now in effect, but the real story is what comes next. Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were unlawful, the Trump administration moved quickly to implement a new tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. But this authority is temporary. Section 122 tariffs can only remain in place for 150 days and cannot exceed 15% without further action.
Hybrid 3D Printing: Fast, Accurate, Versatile - See It at IMTS
The Lumia X1 printed this ceramic mold insert used to make 300 polypropylene parts. Source: Axtra3D Finding solutions that deliver both speed and precision often means compromise — unless you’re at IMTS 2026, in Chicago, Ill. At IMTS, visitors discover groundbreaking technologies like Axtra3D’sLumia X1 3D printer, powered by Hybrid PhotoSynthesis (HPS) technology. It’s one of many reasons IMTS is a must-attend event for manufacturers seeking smart, high-impact technologies.
Working The Network: Meet Mike DiFranco, AMT’s New Vice President of Sales
Think networking doesn’t work? Allow us to introduce a virtual virtuoso—Mike DiFranco, AMT-The Association For Manufacturing Technology’s new Vice President of Sales. For a lot of people, networking can be . . . work. But for Mike, building connections come naturally— and it’s a strength he’s brought tp every step of his career. Working the Room Mike’s penchant for making connections became clear early on.
Strengthening the Defense Industrial Base Through Manufacturing Technology
Manufacturing Technology’s Role in National Security One message continues to emerge across AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology’s work and industry conversations: The strength of the U.S. defense industrial base is closely tied to the capabilities of the manufacturing technology sector.
SBA Launches Loan Guarantee Program To Support U.S. Manufacturing Investment
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced a new “Made in America Loan Guarantee” to expand domestic manufacturing capacity by increasing access to capital. The program uses the SBA’s International Trade Loan platform. It raises the federal loan guarantee to 90% from the usual 75% to motivate lenders to fund manufacturing investments. Eligible small manufacturers can use the funds to upgrade equipment, modernize facilities, expand, and reshore production.
Learn Irish as a family, Saturday's at the ICC
This post was contributed by a community member. Join us for a fun filled workshop on Saturday's at 5:15 as we introduce the Irish language to kids and adults alike. Songs, games and entertaining activities - bingo in Irish anyone! Sign up today. For more information email mdooher@irishculture.org. Join us afterwards in the ICC Pub & Restaurant for dinner & land open Irish music session.
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