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PT/MC Manufacturers' Sales Continue to Drop According to PTDA's April 2009 Market Outlook Report

Chicago, Ill. — June 11, 2009 — Both U.S. and Canadian manufacturers experienced a drop in sales in April 2009 according to sales data released by the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA).  Confidence in the market (as measured on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being most optimistic) remained the same this month, holding a current negative position between 4.6 and 4.9.

U.S. manufacturers’ sales were down 11.0 percent in April 2009 when compared to March 2009.  Sales in April 2009 fell 29.8 percent compared to the same period last year.  Orders in April 2009 increased by 2.2 percent over March 2009 sales, the first positive performance since October 2008.  

Canadian manufacturers’ sales were down 3.0 percent compared to March 2009.  Sales were down 32.6 percent when compared to the same period last year.   

Sales between March 2009 and April 2009 in specific product categories reflect the change in sales experienced by U.S. and Canadian manufacturers.  Only one product category for U.S. manufacturers—gear products—posted an increase in sales.  For Canadian manufacturers, three product categories posted an increase in sales—gear products, clutches & brakes and standard industrial motors.

U.S.Manufacturer Percent Change in Product Sales (March 2009 vs. April 2009)

Canadian Manufacturer Percent Change in Product Sales (March 2009 vs. April 2009)

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 199 power transmission/motion control distribution firms that generate more than $10 billion in sales and span 3,500 locations in North America and 12 other countries.  PTDA members also include 188 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.