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Canadian and U.S. PT/MC Manufacturers' Sales a Mixed Bag According to PTDA's May 2009 Market Outlook Report

Chicago, Ill. — July 10, 2009 — Canadian manufacturers experienced another drop in sales while U.S. manufacturers experienced a slight increase in May 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 4.3 and 4.8.

U.S. manufacturers’ sales rose slightly by 0.3 percent in May 2009 when compared to April 2009.  Sales in May 2009 fell 26.5 percent compared to the same period last year.  Orders in May 2009 decreased by 2.8 percent over April 2009 orders.

Canadian manufacturers’ sales were down 6.9 percent compared to April 2009.  Sales were down 29.4 percent when compared to the same period last year.   

Product-by-product sales between April 2009 and May 2009 reflect the change in sales experienced by U.S. and Canadian manufacturers.  Five of nine product categories for U.S. manufacturers—shaft couplings, unmounted bearings, clutches & brakes, variable speed drives and mounted bearings—posted sales gains.  For Canadian manufacturers, five product categories posted sales gains— mounted bearings, unmounted bearings, shaft couplings, variable speed drives and positioning systems/linear motion products.

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

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

The Market Outlook Report is published monthly by the Power Transmission Distributors Association.  The full report includes U.S. and Canadian manufacturer data for 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. 

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.