The latest figures available from the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association (AMTDA) and the Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT) place manufacturing technology consumption for July at $278.47 million. While down 14.6% from June, the July numbers reported by participating USMTC members show a 26.5% increase over the $220.21 million figure from July, 2005. In addition, the year-to-date total of $2.06 billion represents a 24.4% increase over 2005 totals. ?July was well ahead of the year-ago month, and also up almost 25% for the year to date,? said John J. Healy, AMTDA president. ?Continued strength can be expected as a result of the trends that historically follow the International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago in September.? The United States Manufacturing Technology Consumption (USMTC) report is a joint effort of the two trade associations representing the production and distribution of manufacturing technology. The report includes regional and national U.S. consumption data for domestic and imported machine tools and related equipment. The report is designed as an economic indicator for manufacturing industries investing capital in metalworking equipment and looking to increase capacity and improve productivity. The figures?available on the USMTC website at www.AMTonline.org?are also available in a five-region geographical breakdown for the United States.