U.S. distributors’overall sales of PT/MC products were unchanged in October 2008 compared to September 2008, according to the latest month-end trend data released by the Power Transmission Distributors Association. When matched up against sales in the same month last year, sales in October 2008 were up by 7.4%. Accounts receivable collection days rose 2.3% since September 2008. The confidence index of U.S. distributors for October was also unchanged, remaining at 5.2 (on a 10-point scale).
 
Following double-digit sales growth in September 2008, Canadian distributors reported a 4.2% drop in sales in October 2008. Sales over the same period last year were up 2.5%. Accounts receivable collection days fell 5.1% compared to September 2008. For the third consecutive month, the confidence level of Canadian distributors remained steady at 5.3 (on a 10-point scale).
 
U.S. manufacturers’sales rose 3.0% in October 2008 when compared to September 2008.  Sales in October 2008 increased 6.2% compared to the same period last year. Orders in October 2008 were up 7.8% over September 2008. The confidence level of U.S. manufacturers fell 0.2 to 4.9 (on a 10-point scale), which is the lowest level since May 2002.
 
Canadian manufacturers’sales reversed September 2008 positive gains by posting a 4.9 drop in October 2008. Sales were down 5.6% when compared to the same period last year. The confidence level of Canadian manufacturers decreased 0.3 to 4.4 (on a 10-point scale) from September to October 2008, the lowest level in this decade. 
 
Product-by-product sales between September 2008 and October 2008 reflect the change in sales experienced by U.S. and Canadian manufacturers. Three product categories for U.S. manufacturers —unmounted bearings, positioning systems/linear motion products and standard industrial motors — posted increases in sales.  For Canadian manufacturers, three product categories posted an increase in sales — positioning systems/linear motion products, variable speed drives and standard industrial motors.
 
The Market Outlook Report is published monthly by the Power Transmission Distributors Association. For more information to order the full report, go to www.ptda.org.