2025 New Orders

As of January, new orders increased by an average of 3.5 percent, or $18.6 million, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The most significant rise compared to January 2024 occurred in the transportation equipment sector, which saw a 10.5 percent surge. The durable goods industries sector posted a 4.3 percent gain, while the computers and electronic products segment rose by 3.4 percent. Orders in the nondurable goods industries sector grew by 2.8 percent, and primary metals followed with a 2.6 percent increase.

Year-over-year, nearly all surveyed manufacturing industries showed growth, except for the furniture and related products sector, which saw a slight decline of 0.7 percent. In contrast, the machinery sector rose by 1.0 percent, and the fabricated metal products segment saw a 1.6 percent increase.

Month-over-month growth

On a month-over-month basis, new orders fell by an average of 5.2 percent, or $30.6 million as of January. Unlike the yearly trend, only four sectors experienced positive growth. Primary metals saw a 10.4 percent increase, orders for fabricated metal products grew by 6.4 percent, while furniture and related products increased by 4.3 percent. The machinery sector experienced a small gain of 0.7 percent.

The largest drop occurred in the computers and electronic products segment, which plummeted by 25.5 percent. Orders for the transportation equipment sector fell by 19.5 percent, durable goods industries saw an 8.8 percent decrease and the electrical equipment, appliances and components sector dropped by 5.6 percent. Nondurable goods industries also recorded a 1.8 percent decline.

—Posted on March 25, 2025