U.S. Machine Tool Demand Rose in April

Demand for U.S.-made machine tools rose in April from the previous month, the American Machine Tool Distributors’ Assn. and the Assn. for Manufacturing Technology said in a joint report. Total demand in April rose 7.7% to an estimated $801 million from a revised $744 million in March. In April 1996, demand was $497 million. “The significant growth in demand reflected in April orders may be an early indicator that Detroit is beginning to place orders with our industry again,” AMT President Albert Moore said in a statement, referring to Detroit car makers. The March estimate was revised up from $721 million reported a month ago. Orders in the first four months of 1997 were estimated at $2.75 billion, a 22% increase from the first four months of 1996, the trade groups said.