PT/MC Sales Rebound According to PTDA's June 2008 Market Outlook Report Data

Chicago, Ill. — The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) today released June 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 rose 2.7 percent in June 2008 compared to May 2008. When matched up against sales in the same month last year, sales in June 2008 were up 2.1 percent. Accounts receivable collection days dropped 2.3 percent since May 2008. The confidence index of U.S. distributors for June remained flat at 5.6 (on a 10-point scale).

Canadian distributors reported a negligible decrease in PT/MC sales, dropping 0.2 percent in June 2008 after posting a 5.4 percent loss in May 2008. Sales over the same period last year were down 4.8 percent. Accounts receivable collection days rose 1.6 percent compared to May 2008. In June 2008, the confidence level of Canadian distributors was held constant for the fifth consecutive month at 5.7 (on a 10-point scale).

U.S. manufacturers’ sales increased in June 2008, with a 6.6 percent gain compared to May 2008. Sales in June 2008 climbed 5.6 percent compared to the same period last year. Orders in June 2008 were down 5.0 percent over May 2008. The confidence level of U.S. manufacturers remained flat at 5.3 (on a 10-point scale) for the second month in a row.

Canadian manufacturer’s sales increased 3.5 percent in June 2008 compared to May 2008. Sales were down 10.6 percent when compared to the same period last year. The confidence level of Canadian manufacturers increased 0.2 to 4.9 (on a 10-point scale) from May to June 2008.

Product-by-product sales between May 2008 and June 2008 reflect the overall increase in sales experienced by U.S. and Canadian manufacturers. Only three of nine product categories for U.S. manufacturers—variable speed drives, mechanical drive systems and other PT products and positioning systems/ linear motion products—posted drops in sales. For Canadian manufacturers, four product categories posted a loss—clutches & brakes, variable speed drives, mounted bearings and unmounted bearings.

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

Product	Percent Change
Variable Speed Drives	-14.9%
Mechanical Drive Systems and Other PT Products	-1.5%
Positioning Systems/Linear Motion Products	-2.2%
Clutches & Brakes	0.3%
Shaft Couplings	4.1%
Unmounted Bearings	7.8%
Mounted Bearings	9.0%
Gear Products	9.3%
Standard Industrial Motors	9.9%