At $55.5 million for the second quarter 2005, shipments of workholding equipment for the U.S. were up 8.5 percent from the previous year according to the Workholding Product Group (WPG) of AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology. Workholding equipment shipments within the U.S. by the 39 companies participating in the WPG statistical report totaled $47.7 million while exports amounted to $7.8 million.

The report from the WPG shows that second quarter 2005 U.S. domestic shipments of workholding equipment were up 7.2 percent from year-earlier levels and U.S. exports were up 16.9 percent. The report also shows rotating type as the largest source of workholding equipment activity in the second quarter of 2005, accounting for 50.1 percent of total shipments. Regionally, the Midwest was the largest destination source in the second quarter 2005, comprising 47.3 percent of total domestic shipments. Additionally, second quarter 2005 employment levels were up 7.2 percent from year-earlier levels.

"Sales of workholding equipment have seen a steady increase over the past two years. Recently the backlog has been declining, but this is simply the result of shipments rising at a faster rate than orders over the past six months. Since both are experiencing increases, this is not something to be alarmed about in the short term," said Richard Spooner, WPG Chairman and President & CEO of PowerHold Incorporated.

The Workholding Product Group is comprised of AMT members who produce chucks, jaws, collets, vises, fixtures, and other workholding equipment. The WPG operates as a forum to serve the interests of U.S. manufacturers of workholding equipment. The overriding goal of the WPG is to develop ways to better serve the workholding user customer, and to implement programs to help the workholding community in this endeavor. While WPG members must be members of AMT, any OEM workholding manufacturer or U.S. based company that is a sole distributor of a foreign built workholding product line may participate in the WPG statistical program.

The Workholding Market Data Report is the only accurate, timely source of detailed statistics on workholding equipment for marketing and planning purposes. There is no cost to participate. The only obligation is to complete the simple survey form each month. Absolute confidentiality is guaranteed.