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PT/MC Market Reports Mixed Results According to PTDA's April 2008 Market Outlook Report Data

Chicago, Ill. – June 6, 2008– The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) today released April 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 climbed 6.4 percent in April 2008 compared to March 2008.  When matched up against sales in the same month last year, sales in April 2008 were up 11.5 percent.  Accounts receivable collection days fell 4.3 percent since March 2008.  The confidence index of U.S. distributors held steady for the fifth month in a row at 5.8 (on a 10-point scale).

Canadian distributors also reported a rise in PT/MC sales, gaining 8.6 percent in April 2008. Sales over the same period last year were up 6.6 percent.  Accounts receivable collection days dropped 6.9 percent compared to March 2008.  In April 2008, the confidence level of Canadian distributors was held constant for the third month in a row at 5.7 (on a 10-point scale).

U.S. manufacturers’ sales declined in April 2008, with a 2.7 percent loss compared to March 2008.  Sales in April 2008 climbed 2.1 percent compared to April 2007.  Orders in April 2008 were down 3.6 percent over March 2008.  The confidence level of U.S. manufacturers declined slightly in April 2008 to 5.2 (on a 10-point) compare to 5.6 in March 2008.

Canadian manufacturer’s sales declined slightly in April 2008 with a 0.4 percent loss compared to March 2008.  Sales were down 2.0 percent when compared to the same period last year.  For January, the confidence level of Canadian manufacturers decreased 0.2 to 5.0 (on a 10-point scale) from March 2008 to April 2008.

Product-by-product sales between March 2008 and April 2008 reflect the overall drop in sales experienced by both U.S. and Canadian manufacturers.  Three of nine product categories for U.S. manufacturers—gear products, clutches & brakes, and standard industrial motors—posted sales gains.  For Canadian manufacturers, more than half of the products manufactured posted a positive gain, resulting in negligible losses this Month.

U.S. Manufacturer Percent Change in Product Sales (March 2008 vs. April 2008)

Canadian Manufacturer Percent Change in Product Sales (March 2008 vs. April 2008)

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 for the current and the previous year in sales, inventory and accounts receivables for U.S. and Canadian distributors as well as a general confidence index.  U.S. and Canadian manufacturer data includes a confidence index as well as 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 2006 and 2007 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 205 power transmission/motion control distributor firms with over 3,500 locations throughout North America and 12 other countries as well as 194 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.