According to the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute and the Association for Manufacturing Technology, September U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $170.8 million, which was up 1.3% from August’s total but down 11.7% from September 2014 and 1.9% when compared year-to-date in 2014.

“The month-to-month performance shows little change and certainly no significant recovery from the effects of the strong dollar and low oil prices, therefore the current industry conditions will continue,” said Brad Lawton, chairman of AMT’s Cutting Tool Product Group.

The Cutting Tool Market Report is jointly compiled by AMT and USCTI, two trade associations representing the development, production and distribution of cutting tool technology and products. Analysis of cutting tool consumption is an indicator of both upturns and downturns in U.S. manufacturing activity, as it is a measure of actual production levels.