Industrial Controls Demand weakened during second quarter.
Press Release Summary:
Shipments of industrial control equipment contracted again during second quarter of 2009, as NEMA's Primary Industrial Controls Index fell 6.5% versus first 3 months of this year. Although this represents much slower rate of decline than first quarter's 23% drop, shipments have declined nearly 40% from cyclical peak and are at lowest level in 18 years. On year-over-year basis, index posted second consecutive record drop as it shed 35.4% versus second quarter of 2008.
Original Press Release:
Demand for Industrial Controls Weakened Further During Second Quarter of 2009
ROSSLYN, Va., August 4, 2009-Shipments of industrial control equipment contracted yet again during the second quarter of 2009, as NEMA's Primary Industrial Controls Index fell 6.5 percent versus the first three months of this year. Although this represents a much slower rate of decline than the first quarter's 23 percent drop, shipments have declined nearly 40 percent from their cyclical peak and are at their lowest level in 18 years. On a year-over-year basis, the index posted its second consecutive record drop as it shed 35.4 percent versus the second quarter of 2008. The Primary Industrial Controls and Adjustable Speed Drives Index, a broader measure of demand for industrial controls, registered a 4.9 percent decline compared to the first three months of 2009, while shrinking more than one third versus the same period a year ago.
The rate of economic decline slowed considerably during the second quarter, as it appears the worst of the financial crisis is now in the rear-view mirror. Indeed, real GDP declined 1 percent on an annualized basis during the second quarter of 2009, an improvement over the roughly 6 percent average decline in the previous two quarters. However, with positive contributions coming only from net trade and government spending, aggregate economic activity can be called anything but robust. Given the weak level of final demand, many companies have little appetite for risk and have pulled back on capital spending for machinery and equipment such as industrial controls, instead opting to cut costs and save revenues to restore profitability and rebuild damaged balance sheets.
Manufacturers have struggled mightily during the economic downturn, as total industrial output has plummeted more than 17 percent since the recession began at the close of calendar year 2007. In fact, this represents the sector's worst stretch since the Great Depression. With businesses continuing to aggressively liquidate inventories into the second quarter, manufacturers have idled more than one third of operable production capacity-yet another record. On a positive note, manufacturing activity may see a modest jump higher during the second half of the year. First, numerous auto manufacturing facilities that have been idled due to lackluster sales are scheduled to re-start production in the coming weeks. At the same time, new orders for durable goods (excluding aircraft and defense equipment) have trended higher in recent months.
Nonetheless, even once the recovery in manufacturing activity takes hold, it will likely evolve slowly. Businesses are holding large-scale capital spending outlays constant at best as they try to restore profitability, thereby keeping a lid on new equipment purchases. Replacement demand for industrial controls and other similar types of equipment will be weak even once production activity resumes since a record share of operable capacity is not in use at this time.
NEMA is the association of electrical and medical imaging equipment manufacturers. Founded in 1926 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., its approximately 450 member companies manufacture products used in the generation, transmission and distribution, control, and end use of electricity. These products are used in utility, industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential applications. The association's Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) Division represents manufacturers of cutting-edge medical diagnostic imaging equipment including MRI, CT, x-ray, and ultrasound products. Worldwide sales of NEMA-scope products exceed $120 billion. In addition to its headquarters in Rosslyn, Virginia, NEMA also has offices in Beijing and Mexico City.
NEMA. Setting Standards for Excellence
Visit our website at www.nema.org
