U.S. distributors’overall sales of PT/MC products climbed 6.4 percent in April 2008 compared to March 2008, according to April 2008 month-end trend data from the Power Transmission Distributors Association.
 
When matched up against sales in the same month last year, sales in April 2008 were up 11.5 percent. Accounts receivable collection days fell 4.3 percent since March 2008. The confidence index of U.S. distributors held steady for the fifth month in a row at 5.8 (on a 10-point scale).
 
Canadian distributors also reported a rise in PT/MC sales, gaining 8.6 percent in April 2008. Sales over the same period last year were up 6.6 percent. Accounts receivable collection days dropped 6.9 percent compared to March 2008. In April 2008, the confidence level of Canadian distributors was held constant for the third month in a row at 5.7 (on a 10-point scale). 
 
U.S. manufacturers’sales declined in April 2008, with a 2.7 percent loss compared to March 2008. Sales in April 2008 climbed 2.1 percent compared to April 2007. Orders in April 2008 were down 3.6 percent over March 2008. The confidence level of U.S. manufacturers declined slightly in April 2008 to 5.2 (on a 10-point) compare to 5.6 in March 2008. 
 
Canadian manufacturer’s sales declined slightly in April 2008 with a 0.4 percent loss compared to March 2008. Sales were down 2 percent when compared to the same period last year. For January, the confidence level of Canadian manufacturers decreased 0.2 to 5.0 (on a 10-point scale) from March 2008 to April 2008.
 
Three of nine product categories for U.S. manufacturers posted sales gains. For Canadian manufacturers, more than half of the products manufactured posted a positive gain, resulting in negligible losses this month.