PT/MC Sales Drop 7.6% in March

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May 9, 2008

PT/MC Sales Drop 7.6% in March

The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) today released the March 2008 month-end trend data for distributors and manufacturers of power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) products. All categories posted a decline in sales for the first time in 2008.

U.S. distributors’ sales of PT/MC products dropped 7.6% in March 2008 compared to February 2008. When matched up against sales in the same month last year, sales in March 2008 gained 1.1%. Accounts receivable collection days experienced its first increase in 2008, up 7.7% from February 2008. The confidence index of U.S. distributors remained flat for the fourth month in a row at 5.8 (on a 10-point scale).

Canadian distributors also reported a drop in PT/MC sales, falling 7.9% in March 2008. Sales over the same period last year were down 5.7%. Days sales in account receivables rose 12.2% as compared to February 2008. In March 2008, the confidence level of Canadian distributors was unchanged at 5.7 (on a 10-point scale).

U.S. manufacturers’ sales were also lower in March 2008, posting a 0.7% loss compared to February 2008. Sales in March 2008 increased a negligible 0.4% compared to March 2007. Orders in March 2008 declined 5.0% over February 2008. The confidence level of U.S. manufacturers rose slightly to 5.6 (on a 10-point).

Canadian manufacturer’s sales mirrored the overall market, down 4.5% over February 2008. Sales for the same period last year experienced a decline of 10.8%. The confidence level of Canadian manufacturers held steady at 5.1 (on a 10-point scale).

Product-by-product sales between February 2008 and March 2008 reflect the overall drop in sales experienced by both U.S. and Canadian manufacturers. Three of nine product categories for U.S. manufacturers—shaft couplings, positioning systems/linear motion products and standard industrial motors—posted sales gains. For Canadian manufacturers, two product categories—unmounted bearings and variable speed drives—experienced a positive change in sales.

The Market Outlook Report is published monthly by the Power Transmission Distributors Association. 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.

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