The second quarter of 2012 was the ninth consecutive quarter for business growth among PTDA members, according to the PTDA Business Index. The second-quarter index had a reading of 54.2.

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Compared with a reading of 75.4 for first quarter 2012, the second-quarter results indicate the power transmission/motion control industry is still expanding but at a slower pace than before. Both distributors and manufacturers reported decelerated sales growth in 2Q12.

(Note: The index reading indicates the rate of change compared with the previous period. For example, a reading of 50 indicates no change from the prior period while readings above 50 indicate growth and below 50 indicate contraction. The further the index is above or below 50 suggests a faster or slower rate of change.)

The table below provides an overview of the results from the 2Q2012 index and a comparison with 1Q2012.

PTDA members participating in the Business Index expect 2012 to be another year of sales growth with an average forecast of 8 percent, down from 11 percent in the 1Q12 survey.

The PTDA Business Index full report, including data for the U.S. and Canada, is available through the PTDA website.