Chicago, IL, August 6, 2008 — The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) today released June 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 2.7% in June 2008 compared to May 2008. When matched up against sales in the same month last year, sales in June 2008 were up 2.1%. Accounts receivable collection days dropped 2.3% since May 2008. The confidence index of U.S. distributors for June remained flat at 5.6 (on a 10-point scale).
Canadian distributors reported a negligible decrease in PT/MC sales, dropping 0.2% in June 2008 after posting a 5.4% loss in May 2008. Sales over the same period last year were down 4.8%. Accounts receivable collection days rose 1.6% compared to May 2008. In June 2008, the confidence level of Canadian distributors was held constant for the fifth consecutive month at 5.7 (on a 10-point scale).
U.S. manufacturers’ sales increased in June 2008, with a 6.6% gain compared to May 2008. Sales in June 2008 climbed 5.6% compared to the same period last year. Orders in June 2008 were down 5.0% over May 2008. The confidence level of U.S. manufacturers remained flat at 5.3 (on a 10-point scale) for the second month in a row.
Canadian manufacturer’s sales increased 3.5% in June 2008 compared to May 2008. Sales were down 10.6% when compared to the same period last year. The confidence level of Canadian manufacturers increased 0.2 to 4.9 (on a 10-point scale) from May to June 2008.
Product-by-product sales between May 2008 and June 2008 reflect the overall increase in sales experienced by U.S. and Canadian manufacturers. Only three of nine product categories for U.S. manufacturers — variable speed drives, mechanical drive systems and other PT products and positioning systems/ linear motion products — posted drops in sales. For Canadian manufacturers, four product categories posted a loss — clutches & brakes, variable speed drives, mounted bearings and unmounted bearings.
U.S. Manufacturer Percent Change in Product Sales (May vs. June 2008)
Product
|
Percent Change
|
Variable Speed Drives
|
-14.9%
|
Mechanical Drive Systems and Other PT Products
|
-1.5%
|
Positioning Systems/Linear Motion Products
|
-2.2%
|
Clutches & Brakes
|
0.3%
|
Shaft Couplings
|
4.1%
|
Unmounted Bearings
|
7.8%
|
Mounted Bearings
|
9.0%
|
Gear Products
|
9.3%
|
Standard Industrial Motors
|
9.9%
|
Canadian Manufacturer Percent Change in Product Sales (May vs. June 2008)
Product
|
Percent Change
|
Clutches & Brakes
|
-24.1%
|
Variable Speed Drives
|
-12.2%
|
Mounted Bearings
|
-1.4%
|
Unmounted Bearings
|
-1.3%
|
Gear Products
|
0.8%
|
Shaft Couplings
|
5.8%
|
Positioning Systems/Linear Motion Products
|
8.4%
|
Mechanical Drive Systems & Other PT Products
|
19.4%
|
Standard Industrial Motors
|
42.0%
|
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 email 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 312-516-2100. PTDA members may download the report at no charge through the PTDA website at www.ptda.org/MOR.