PTDA Report indicates increase in sales for September 2008.
Press Release Summary:
According to the PTDA's September 2008 Market Outlook Report, both U.S. and Canadian manufacturers and distributors reported increased sales of power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) products in September compared to August 2008 as well as September 2007. The confidence index of U.S manufacturers and distributors for September fell, while the confidence index of Canadian distributors remained steady and that of Canadian manufacturers fell.
Original Press Release:
PT/MC Sales Post Across-the-Board Gains According to PTDA's September 2008 Market Outlook Report
PT/MC Sales Post Across-the-Board Gains According to PTDA's September 2008 Market Outlook Report
Chicago, Ill. - November 11, 2008 - The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) today released September 2008 month-end trend data for distributors and manufacturers of power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) products.
U.S. distributors' overall sales of PT/MC products rose 7.9 percent in September 2008 compared to August 2008. When matched up against sales in the same month last year, sales in September 2008 were also up by 13.0 percent. Accounts receivable collection days dropped 3.7 percent since August 2008. Despite these positive numbers, the confidence index of U.S. distributors for September dropped 0.4 to 5.2 (on a 10-point scale).
Canadian distributors reported a 19.1 percent jump in sales in September 2008 compared to August 2008. Sales over the same period last year were up 11.2 percent. Accounts receivable collection days fell 7.1 percent compared to August 2008. In September 2008, the confidence level of Canadian distributors remained steady at 5.3 (on a 10-point scale).
U.S. manufacturers' sales rose 2.2 percent in September 2008 when compared to August 2008. Sales in September 2008 increased 12.9 percent compared to the same period last year. Orders in September 2008 were up 1.8 percent over August 2008, the first positive growth since May 2008. The confidence level of U.S. manufacturers fell 0.1 to 5.1 (on a 10-point scale).
Canadian manufacturers' sales increased dramatically by 21.1 percent in September 2008 compared to August 2008. Sales were up 3.8 percent when compared to the same period last year. The confidence level of Canadian manufacturers decreased 0.3 to 4.7 (on a 10-point scale) from August to September 2008.
Product-by-product sales between August 2008 and September 2008 reflect the change in sales experienced by U.S. and Canadian manufacturers. All but four product categories for U.S. manufacturers-clutches & brakes, positioning systems/linear motion products, shaft couplings and variable speed drives-posted increases in sales. For Canadian manufacturers, only two product categories posted a decrease in sales-positioning systems/linear motion products and clutches & brakes.
U.S. Manufacturer Percent Change in Product Sales
(August 2008 vs. September 2008)
Product Percent Change
Clutches & Brakes -21.7%
Positioning Systems/Linear Motion Products -10.1%
Shaft Couplings -8.3%
Variable Speed Drives -2.1%
Mechanical Drive Systems and Other PT Products 2.3%
Mounted Bearings 2.5%
Standard Industrial Motors 3.2%
Unmounted Bearings 3.8%
Gear Products 11.0%
Canadian Manufacturer Percent Change in Product Sales
(August 2008 vs. September 2008)
Product Percent Change
Positioning Systems/Linear Motion Products -20.6%
Clutches & Brakes -7.5%
Standard Industrial Motors 4.2%
Mechanical Drive Systems & Other PT Products 13.6%
Variable Speed Drives 18.8%
Gear Products 21.2%
Unmounted Bearings 27.3%
Mounted Bearings 40.0%
Shaft Couplings 41.3%
The Market Outlook Report is published monthly by the Power Transmission Distributors Association. The full report includes month-to-month and year-to-year changes for the current and the previous year in sales, inventory and accounts receivables for U.S. and Canadian distributors as well as a general confidence index. U.S. and Canadian manufacturer data includes a confidence index as well as sales and order trends for mounted bearings, unmounted bearings, standard industrial motors, 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 2006 and 2007 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 205 power transmission/motion control distribution firms that generate more than $10 billion in sales and span 3,500 locations in North America and 12 other countries. PTDA members also include 194 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.
