April 2010 Market Report shows drop in U.S. and Canadian sales.

Press Release Summary:



According to sales data in PTDA's Market Outlook Report, U.S. sales dropped 0.7% and Canadian fell 10.4%. Respectively, sales in both countries are up 12.7% and 15.2% compared to sales this time last year. Report also showed manufacturer confidence for U.S. and Canada rose to 5.1, while month-to-month sales for product categories witnessed overall decrease with few 3 exceptions for U.S. manufacturers and 2 for Canadian manufacturers.



Original Press Release:



U.S. and Canadian Power Transmission/Motion Control Manufacturers' Sales Drop According to PTDA's April 2010 Market Outlook Report



Chicago, Ill. - U.S. and Canadian manufacturers' sales dropped in April, after increases in February and March according to sales data released by the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) in its Market Outlook Report. Sales in the U.S. dropped by 0.7 percent, while Canadian sales dropped 10.4 percent.

For U.S. manufacturers, sales for April 2010 are up 12.7 percent compared to sales at this time last year. Canadian manufacturers' year-to-year sales rose 15.2 percent for the same period.

Breaking a three-month neutral position of 5.0, U.S. manufacturers' confidence gained a tenth of a point, rising to 5.1 on a scale of 1 (very pessimistic) to 10 (outstanding). Canadian manufacturers also rose from a negative position of 4.8 to a positive outlook of 5.1.

Month-to-month sales for product categories between March 2010 and April 2010 for U.S. and Canadian manufacturers are reported below.

U.S. Manufacturer Percent Change in Product Sales
(March 2010 vs. April 2010)

Product Percent Change
Mounted Bearings -8.4%
Shaft Couplings -7.7%
Standard Industrial Motors -3.6%
Mechanical Drive Systems and Other PT Products -3.4%
Unmounted Bearings -3.3%
Positioning Systems/Linear Motion Products -1.8%
Variable Speed Drives 8.4%
Clutches & Brakes 14.5%
Gear Products 46.1%

Canadian Manufacturer Percent Change in Product Sales
(March 2010 vs. April 2010)

Product Percent Change
Gear Products -14.9%
Mechanical Drive Systems and Other PT Products -12.1%
Mounted Bearings -11.8%
Unmounted Bearings -9.4%
Shaft Couplings -7.5%
Positioning Systems/Linear Motion Products -0.3%
Variable Speed Drives 11.2%
Clutches & Brakes 24.4%

The Market Outlook Report is published monthly by the Power Transmission Distributors Association. The full report includes U.S. and Canadian manufacturer data for sales and order trends for mounted bearings, unmounted bearings, standard industrial motors (U.S. only), variable speed drives, positioning systems/linear motion products, gear products, clutches and brakes, shaft couplings and mechanical drive systems and other PT products.

Year-end data for 2008 and 2009 is available in a complete report. The monthly data is available by subscription via e-mail or mail. To purchase the year-end data or to begin a subscription to the monthly data, order online at www.ptda.org/store or call PTDA at +1.312.516.2100. PTDA members may download the report at no charge through the PTDA Web site at www.ptda.org/MOR.

Founded in 1960, the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) is the leading association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel. A U.S.-based trade association, PTDA represents 198 power transmission/motion control distribution firms that generate more than $10 billion in sales and span 3,500 locations in North America and 11 other countries. PTDA members also include 187 manufacturers that supply the PT/MC industry.

PTDA is dedicated to providing exceptional networking, targeted education, relevant information and leading-edge business tools to help distributors and manufacturers meet marketplace demands competitively and profitably. For more information, visit www.ptda.org.

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