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Christopher Chidzik
Principal Economist

Chris is currently the Principal Economist at ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ – The Association for Manufacturing ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ where he examines trends in the overall economy that affect the demand for manufacturing technology. For over five years, Chris has managed surveys which compile the data necessary to get a full picture of the U.S. manufacturing landscape. Prior to ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ, Chris held varied roles in data analytics, research, sales, and marketing in an array of industries and settings. Chris holds a master’s degree in economics from The American University.

Chris is currently the Principal Economist at ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ – The Association for Manufacturing ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ where he examines trends in the overall economy that affect the demand for manufacturing technology. For over five years, Chris has managed surveys which compile the data necessary to get a full picture of the U.S. manufacturing landscape. Prior to ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ, Chris held varied roles in data analytics, research, sales, and marketing in an array of industries and settings. Chris holds a master’s degree in economics from The American University.

Posts by Christopher Chidzik
Intelligence
By Christopher ChidzikMar 10, 2025

Manufacturing ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Orders Post Strongest January Since 2022

Orders of manufacturing technology totaled $357.3 million in January 2025, down 29.8% from December but up 5.7% from January 2024. While the order value was 16.2% higher than an average January, the units ordered were the lowest for any January since 2016.

5m read
Intelligence
By Christopher ChidzikFeb 13, 2025

December 2024 US Cutting Tool Orders Total $179.5 Million, Down 0.6% Year to Date From 2023

Shipments of cutting tools, measured by the Cutting Tool Market Report compiled in a collaboration between ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ and USCTI, totaled $179.5 million in December 2024, down 2% from November 2024. Shipments totaled $2.43 billion for 2024, down 0.6% from 2023.

4m read
Intelligence
By Christopher ChidzikFeb 10, 2025

Manufacturing ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Orders Fall for 3rd Year; Beat Expectations

Orders of manufacturing technology, measured by the USMTO report published by ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ, totaled $513.8 million in December 2024, the highest level since March 2023. This showed an increase of 15% from November 2024 and was 5.4% behind December 2023.

5m read
Intelligence
By Christopher ChidzikJan 29, 2025

Powering ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ and Human Progress

Just as early humans’ original tools were constrained by their power sources, today’s modern technological advances are limited by their access to sufficient and reliable supplies of electricity.

3m read
Intelligence
By Christopher ChidzikJan 22, 2025

November 2024 US Cutting Tool Orders Total $183.1 Million, Down 0.3% Year-to-Date From 2023

Shipments of cutting tools, measured by the Cutting Tool Market Report compiled in a collaboration between ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ and USCTI, totaled $183.1 million in November 2024. Orders decreased 13.8% from October 2024 and were down 9.7% from November 2023.

4m read
Intelligence
By Christopher ChidzikJan 13, 2025

November Manufacturing ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Orders Climb, Setting Up Strong End to 2024

Orders of manufacturing technology, measured by the USMTO report published by ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ, totaled $448.8 million in November 2024. These orders for metalworking machinery increased 16.8% from October 2024 and 12.4% from November 2023.

5m read
Intelligence
By Christopher ChidzikDec 11, 2024

Oct. 2024 US Cutting Tool Orders Total $212.5M, Up 12.6% From Sept.

Shipments of cutting tools, measured by the Cutting Tool Market Report compiled by ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ and USCTI, totaled $212.5 million in October 2024, a 12.6% increase from September 2024 but down 0.2% from October 2023. Year-to-date shipments totaled $2.07 billion.

4m read
Intelligence
By Christopher ChidzikDec 09, 2024

MT Orders Decline Post-IMTS; Aerospace Investment Rebounds

Orders of manufacturing technology, measured by the USMTO report published by ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ, totaled $385 million in October 2024, a 14.5% decrease from September. Year-to-date orders reached $3.74 billion, a decline of 7.5% compared to the first 10 months of 2023.

5m read
Intelligence
By Christopher ChidzikDec 03, 2024

Hit or Myth: Automation and Tomorrow’s Workforce

This article will explore how demand for automation responded to historic shifts, the impact on manufacturing jobs, and what impacts these shifting trends have had on productivity.

8m read
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By Christopher ChidzikDec 02, 2024

Productivity Path: How Increases in Automation Support Manufacturing Productivity

With demand for manufactured goods surging after 2020 and high rates of job openings persisting due to a labor shortfall, more manufacturers are turning toward automation – and reversing the post-recessionary trend of declining manufacturing productivity.

5m read