MCLEAN, VA – November US manufacturing technology orders totaled $421.83 million, down 8.5% from the previous year, says the Association for Manufacturing Technology.

For the month, orders were down 11% sequentially, bringing the year-to-date orders to $5.21 billion, up 4.8% compared to 2011.

“Orders for all of 2012 remain full steam ahead, likely on pace to pass the totals of 2011 and echoing the overall strength of manufacturing for the year,” said Douglas K. Woods, AMT president. “While economic uncertainty remains a concern for both businesses and consumers, we anticipate a steady, albeit slower growth for manufacturing as we begin 2013.”

By region, manufacturing technology orders in the Northeast were up 1.9% sequentially and down 20.8% year-over-year; the South was down 6.4% sequentially and up 22.6% year-over-year; the Midwest was down 20.9% from October and down 13.7% year-over-year; the Central region was 14.3% lower sequentially and down 13% from November 2011; and the West was up 7.4% sequentially and up 6.2% year-over-year.