Date: November 3, 2005

Contacts:

Malcolm Mason, Business Development Director, 703-827-5216, e-mail: msmason@AMTonline.org

Frank Kolbe, Senior Economist, 703-827-5262, e-mail: fkolbe@AMTonline.org

Workholding shipments up 5.1 percent from year-earlier levels

At $53.3 million for the third quarter 2005, shipments of workholding equipment for the U.S. were up 5.1 percent from the similar quarter last year according to the Workholding Product Group (WPG) of AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology. Workholding equipment shipments within the U.S. by the 38 companies participating in the WPG statistical report totaled $46.2 million while exports amounted to $7.1 million.

The report from the WPG shows that third quarter 2005 U.S. domestic shipments of workholding equipment were up 5.2 percent from year-earlier levels and U.S. exports were up 4.9 percent. The report also shows rotating type as the largest source of workholding equipment activity in third quarter of 2005, accounting for 50.7 percent of total shipments. Regionally, the Midwest was the largest destination source in the third quarter 2005, comprising 45.9 percent of total domestic shipments. Additionally, third quarter 2005 employment levels were up 5.8 percent from year-earlier levels.

“Workholding sales went for a roller coaster ride in the third quarter of 2005 but still continued the upward momentum of the past two years,” said Richard Spooner, WPG Chairman and President & CEO of PowerHold Incorporated. “Also, September saw a sharp jump in unfilled orders, offsetting most of the recent decline of the previous eight months. With manufacturing output reaching new highs, this trend should continue.”

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. For more information contact Frank Kolbe, Senior Economist at 703-827-5262 or fkolbe@AMTonline.org.

For more information about the WPG and its efforts to promote the workholding industry in the U.S., please call Malcolm Mason, Business Development Director at 703-827-5216 or msmason@AMTonline.org.