The two organizations reported that with a year-to-date $2.4 billion, 2004 is up 42.6 percent compared to last year.

U.S. machine tool consumption was also reported on a regional basis. October machine tool consumption in the Northeast totaled $36.53 million, down 36 percent compared to September's $57.05 million, but up 65.5 percent compared to October a year ago. At $350.69 million, year-to-date machine tool consumption was 54.6 percent higher than the compared figure in 2003.

Standing at $30.25 million, the South's machine tool consumption was down 36 percent compared to September's $47.23 million, but up 42.5 percent higher than the tally in October 2003. The year-to-date total of $349.31 million was up 3 percent when compared to the same time in 2003.

Totaling $102.12 million, October machine tool consumption in the Midwest was off 31.5 percent from September's $149.16 million, but 47.9 percent higher than the total for last October. With a year-to-date total of $945.18 million, 2004 is running 42.1 percent ahead of 2003 at the same time.

Central U.S. machine tool consumption in October stood at $38.89 million, down 48 percent compared to September's $74.84 million, but 33.5 percent higher than the October 2003 total. At $429.18 million, the year-to-date total was 57.4 percent higher than the comparable figure for 2003.

October machine tool consumption for the Western U.S. was $26.65 million, down 52 percent from September's $55.55 million, but up 44 percent compared to October a year ago. The year-to-date total of $305.62 million was 84.3 percent higher than the 2003 total at the same time.