PT/MC Manufacturers’ Sales Experienced Slight Boost According to PTDA's September 2009 Market Outlook Report

Chicago, Ill. — November 9, 2009 — U.S. and Canadian manufacturers posted an increase in sales in September 2009 according to sales data released by the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) in its Market Outlook Report. Confidence in the U.S. market (as measured on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being most optimistic) is holding at a current negative position of 4.7 for the third consecutive month. Canadian confidence rose slightly by 0.1 from last month to 4.2.

U.S. manufacturers’ sales rose for the second consecutive month, posting a 5.3 percent increase in September 2009 when compared to August 2009. Sales in September 2009 are down 29.6 percent compared to the same period last year. Orders in September 2009 increased by 9.1 percent over August 2009 orders.

Canadian manufacturers’ sales rose by 14.0 percent compared to August 2009. Sales were down 29.1 percent when compared to the same period last year.

Product-by-product sales between August 2009 and September 2009 reflect the change in sales experienced by U.S. and Canadian manufacturers. Seven of nine product categories for U.S. manufacturers posted sales gains. For Canadian manufacturers, eight product categories posted sales gains.

U.S. Manufacturer Percent Change in Product Sales (August 2009 vs. September 2009)

Product	Percent Change
Variable Speed Drives	-20.2%
Positioning Systems/Linear Motion Products	-3.5%
Mounted Bearings	1.7%
Mechanical Drive Systems and Other PT Products	4.4%
Shaft Couplings	5.5%
Standard Industrial Motors	6.0%
Unmounted Bearings	6.3%
Gear Products	9.0%
Clutches & Brakes	10.3%

Canadian Manufacturer Percent Change in Product Sales (August 2009 vs. September 2009)

Product	Percent Change
Clutches & Brakes	-26.7%
Mechanical Drive Systems and Other PT Products	5.9%
Standard Industrial Motors	8.2%
Positioning Systems/Linear Motion Products	11.6%
Mounted Bearings	13.4%
Unmounted Bearings	14.2%
Variable Speed Drives	14.9%
Gear Products	20.1%
Shaft Couplings	37.4%

The Market Outlook Report is published monthly by the Power Transmission Distributors Association. The full report includes month-to-month and year-to-year changes in sales and order trends for mounted bearings, unmounted bearings, standard industrial motors, variable speed drives, positioning systems/linear motion products, gear products, clutches and brakes, shaft couplings and mechanical drive systems and other PT products for U.S. and Canadian manufacturers.

Year-end data for 2007 and 2008 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.

Founded in 1960, the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) is the leading association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel. A U.S.-based trade association, PTDA represents 195 power transmission/motion control distribution firms that generate more than $10 billion in sales and span 3,500 locations in North America and 11 other countries. PTDA members also include 182 manufacturers that supply the PT/MC industry.

PTDA is dedicated to providing exceptional networking, targeted education, relevant information and leading-edge business tools to help distributors and manufacturers meet marketplace demands competitively and profitably. For more information, visit www.ptda.org.