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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 2.3 percent from year-earlier levels
March 2006 - At $52.7 million for the fourth quarter 2005, shipments of workholding equipment for the U.S. were up 2.3 percent from 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 $46.4 million while exports amounted to $6.3 million.
The report from the WPG shows that fourth quarter 2005 U.S. domestic shipments of workholding equipment were up 5.4 percent from year-earlier levels and U.S. exports were down 15.9 percent. The report also shows rotating type as the largest source of workholding equipment activity in fourth quarter of 2005, accounting for 51.3 percent of total shipments. Regionally, the Midwest was the largest destination source in the fourth quarter of 2005, comprising 46.8 percent of total domestic shipments. Additionally, fourth quarter 2005 employment levels were up 5.2 percent from year-earlier levels.
“Despite the slowdown in the domestic U.S. auto industry, sales of workholding equipment were up over last year and backlogs have begun rising, regaining half of the decline that had begun a year ago,” 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.
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.
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