U.S. manufacturers placed more than $1 billion worth of technology orders in September, up 38% from the previous month and a record high, according to a report from the Association for Manufacturing Technology.
This was more than double the value of new orders placed during the same month last year, driven by price inflation and a renewed appetite for automation technologies.
September orders surpassed the previous monthly record set last December at $814.3 million.
They also coincided with the association’s weeklong International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago, which drew more than 90,000 attendees and contributed to increased technology purchases.
Orders placed between January and September reached $5.76 billion, a 45% increase over the same period last year, data show.
The association attributed the rise in orders to increased demand from industries with long backlogs and lead times, as well as defense production.
It forecasted orders to remain elevated for the rest of the year and into 2027, with variation in what customer industries purchase on a monthly basis.
In September, orders from automotive manufacturers reached their highest level since July 2020, according to the report. However, the sector is experiencing unequal growth. Makers of automotive transmissions and motor vehicle stamping pulled back on technology orders during the month.
Meanwhile, orders increased for manufacturers of aerospace products and parts, as well as for contract machine shops, which make up the largest customer industry tracked by the association. Job shop investments set a record high, nearly 25% above the previous record in August.
Investments, openings and expansions
Manufacturers with U.S. operations made several updates regarding new and existing investment projects. Here are a few of the latest from this week.
Kopin Corp.
Kopin a maker of high-resolution microdisplays, plans to expand into a new headquarters across the street from its current location, with support from a $1.46 million tax credit from the state of Massachusetts.
Relocating its headquarters will free up space at its existing facility for manufacturing expansion and production programs, Kopin said. The project could create up to 80 jobs over the next five years, including roles in engineering, advanced manufacturing and semiconductor processing.
Kopin said it plans to expand production of displays for digital defense systems and data connections for artificial intelligence infrastructure as part of the project. An investment total was not disclosed.
The state of Massachusetts awarded Kopin a tax credit for the project to support facility and workforce investments, as well as an $800,000 grant for funding manufacturing equipment upgrades.
ATP Adhesive Systems
ATP Adhesive Systems, a subsidiary of Germany-based chemicals giant Henkel, opened a new manufacturing facility in West Columbia, South Carolina, on Wednesday as part of its expansion into North America.
ATP said its 127,000-square-foot facility will create 130 jobs and allow the company to bring together capabilities such as solvent-free coating, onsite converting and local product development and technical support under one roof.
The company first shared plans for the $70 million investment project in September 2025 as part of the launch of ATP North America, a business tailored toward serving U.S. and Canadian manufacturers.
“With this new facility, we are creating closer collaboration opportunities, shorter lead times, and enhanced support for customers throughout their innovation and production journey,” Paul Schwitter, ATP’s chief commercial officer, said in a statement Wednesday.
GE Vernova
GE Vernova will invest $34.5 million expanding its transformer manufacturing operations in Shreveport, Louisiana, the company said Tuesday.
The project is expected to create 175 jobs and support growing demand for grid infrastructure, including industrial and renewable energy transformers used in digital factories and battery energy storage applications.
The state of Louisiana awarded GE Vernova an incentives package that included a $300,000 grant tied to site and infrastructure improvements. The company looks to also qualify for state incentives connected to job creation and manufacturing investments.
The project is part of GE Vernova's broader plan to strengthen its domestic manufacturing operations by investing nearly $1.3 billion across its U.S. facilities and research centers between 2025 and 2028.
Engineering and procurement are underway for GE Vernova’s Shreveport expansion, with installation expected to continue through 2027, according to the Louisiana Economic Development agency. Production is expected to reach full capacity in 2028.
Honda
Honda will invest $3 billion to build an automotive plant in Central Ohio, near its Marysville plant, with a focus on hybrid-electric vehicles, the company said Monday.
The new plant is expected to create more than 2,000 jobs and expand production capacity by an additional 240,000 vehicles per year. Honda is targeting a 2029 production start date.
Mars
Mars will invest an estimated $1.4 billion across its U.S. manufacturing and operations footprint next year, the Virginia-based company said Tuesday. The investments will “serve as an accelerator for Mars growing portfolio of snacking brands,” including a mix of technology and supply chain upgrades, per a news release.
Wing
Wing, the drone division of Alphabet Inc., said it will invest $125 million over the next two years to build a manufacturing plant in Fort Worth, Texas, with plans to produce “tens of thousands” of drones each year to support delivery service expansion.
