The 2006 World Machine-Tool Survey at a Glance

All producing countries make gains, and some are double-digit gains. China’s estimated shipments soar in the year just ended.

World output increases more than 10% to nearly $60-Billion. Asian builders increase their production at a faster pace than those in Europe or the Americas.

Among consumer nations, China retains the number-one position by far, acquiring almost as much as number two and three combined.

U.S. consumption gains a healthy 5%, and America retains the number-three spot among consumers. On the production side, however, South Korea’s gains force the U.S. to slip to number seven in output.

On a per-capita basis, the Swiss, the Taiwanese, and the Koreans spend the most on production machinery