Power Transmission Distributor Association (PTDA) Posts Increase

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The year for industrial based-distributors continues to be a bit "bouncy". Power Transmission distributors lie dead center in the world of industrial supply. Their products range from belts and pulleys to complex Automation and electronic Motion Control devices. June sales trended up, other months have been smooth or slightly down. It has been that kind of year in the North American market.

One very interesting development this month comes in the down turn in Variable Frequency Drives and Linear Motion products. These categories have been shining stars in past months and one can only wonder if next month will see a corresponding upturn.

Here is the press release from PTDA -

Chicago, Ill. — 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 percent 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 percent. Accounts receivable collection days dropped 2.3 percent since May 2008. The confidence index of U.S. distributors for June remained flat at 5.6 (on a 10-point scale).

U.S. manufacturers’ sales increased in June 2008, with a 6.6 percent gain compared to May 2008. Sales in June 2008 climbed 5.6 percent compared to the same period last year. Orders in June 2008 were down 5.0 percent 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.

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.

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