Home Market TrendsMarket Outlook Report Current Report

2009 Sales Show Significant Decline Below 2008 Levels for PT/MC Manufacturers According to PTDA's Year-End 2009 Market Outlook Report

Year-end sales data for power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) products shows that U.S. and Canadian manufacturers sales dropped by one-fourth in 2009 as compared to 2008 according to sales data released by the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) in its Market Outlook Report. 

Following a moderate growth rate of 3.8 percent in 2008, U.S. manufacturers saw a 27.0 percent decrease in PT/MC product sales in 2009.  The annualized sales-to-inventory ratio for 2009 rose from 9.7 at year-end 2008 to 10.8 at year-end in 2009.

Canadian manufacturers' sales fared slightly better in 2009, with a 24.7 percent decrease in sales in 2009, following a 7.4 percent drop in 2008.  The annualized sales-to-inventory ratio rose by a tenth of a point to 7.1 at year-end 2009.

In considering sales growth on a product-by-product basis for 2009, both U.S. and Canadian manufacturers posted sales declines in every category.

U.S. Manufacturer Percent Change in Product Sales (2008 vs. 2009)

Canadian Manufacturer Percent Change in Product Sales (2008 vs. 2009)

December Sales Results Show Mixed Bag

In December 2009, U.S. manufacturers' overall sales of PT/MC products fell by 1.8 percent when compared to November 2009.  Compared to the same period last year, sales in December 2009 were down 16.4 percent.  Orders in December 2009 were down 1.4 percent compared to November 2009.  The confidence level of U.S. manufacturers rose to 4.8 (up 0.1 points over November 2009 levels on a 10-point scale).

Canadian manufacturers' sales dropped 10.0 percent compared to November 2009.  Sales were down 9.9 percent when compared to the same period last year.  The confidence level of Canadian manufacturers rose to 4.5, up 0.3 from last month's level (on a 10-point scale). 

Sales between November 2009 and December 2009 in specific product categories reflect the change in sales experienced by U.S. and Canadian manufacturers. 

Month-to-month sales for nine product categories between November 2009 and December 2009 for U.S. and Canadian manufacturers are reported below.

U.S. Manufacturer Percent Change in Product Sales

(November 2009 vs. December 2009)

Canadian Manufacturer Percent Change in Product Sales

(November 2009 vs. December 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 2008 and 2009 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 198 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.  PTDAmembers also include 187 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.

Download Current Report:
     U.S. Manufacturer Results 
     Canadian Manufacturer Results 
Market Outlook Report Archive 
Market Outlook Subscription (E-mail) (Mail)