U.S. manufacturing is entering a decisive stage of expansion, with reshoring, automation, and large-scale investment reshaping its industrial base. The sector, valued at $2.9 trillion, would rank as the world’s eighth-largest economy if measured independently. This momentum will be on display at IMTS 2026 – The International Manufacturing Technology Show, organized by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, taking place September 14–19, 2026, at McCormick Place in Chicago.
The United States maintains the world’s largest economy at $30.5 trillion GDP and continues to attract substantial foreign capital. According to AMT, foreign direct investment in U.S. manufacturing surpassed $275 billion in 2024, while cumulative public and private funding in technology, infrastructure, and production has exceeded $8 trillion since early 2025. AMT president Douglas K. Woods said this level of reinvestment “demonstrates structural strength in U.S. manufacturing, supported by proximity to customers, stable energy, and favorable policy.”
Recent data from the Reshoring Initiative, a nonprofit tracking domestic manufacturing recovery, indicates that 43% of contract manufacturers have already brought production back to the U.S. or are fulfilling reshoring orders, with another 16% quoting related projects. The survey also found that a larger and better-trained workforce would prompt manufacturers to return an additional 30% of imported production—more than any tax or tariff measure. “Workforce availability remains the primary factor motivating U.S. production growth,” said Harry Moser, the organization’s founder and president.
Federal policy continues to support this shift. AMT helped shape the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), a legislative package designed to accelerate industrial reinvestment. The law makes 100% bonus depreciation for qualified manufacturing assets permanent, doubles the Section 179 small-business expensing cap from $1.25 million to $2.5 million, and maintains the 20% deduction for pass-through entities under Section 199A. It also reinstates EBITDA-based interest deductibility through 2029, allows full R&D expensing in the year costs are incurred, and raises the estate tax exemption to $15 million for individuals and $30 million for joint owners. Woods described these provisions as “vital for capital reinvestment and liquidity across manufacturing sectors.”
Precision manufacturing companies—a central IMTS audience—stand to benefit from rising demand in aerospace, defense, and semiconductor production. Recovery in commercial aviation and global defense spending has strengthened orders for complex, high-tolerance components. OBBBA’s expansion of the semiconductor investment tax credit from 25% to 35% is expected to accelerate domestic fabrication projects, reinforcing the nation’s supply-chain security strategy.
Growth in AI infrastructure and data centers is adding a new industrial dimension. Rising computational requirements are driving regional construction and equipment demand, supported by the country’s position as the top global energy producer, exporting 30% of its output in 2024. Woods said these overlapping developments create “abundant opportunities for manufacturers to improve operational efficiency and reach new customers.”
IMTS, held biennially, will occupy more than 1.2 million square feet and host 1,800 exhibitors spanning machining, automation, robotics, additive manufacturing, and AI-driven production. Woods characterized the upcoming edition as a platform for understanding how new technologies “enhance productivity and workforce efficiency” in reshoring-driven environments.
The event will also feature AMT’s Emerging Technology Center (ETC), a research-focused pavilion highlighting technologies aimed at current production challenges. Bonnie Gurney, AMT’s vice president of strategic partnerships and industry relations, said the ETC will emphasize “automation, process integration, reshoring, aerospace and defense growth, and productivity per worker.” The initiative functions as a technical showcase connecting industrial users with practical solutions in manufacturing optimization and workforce deployment.
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Featured image shows the Official promotional graphic for IMTS 2026 – The International Manufacturing Technology Show. Image via IMTS.
