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April 16, 2007
Contacts: Mario Winterstein, Business Development Director, 703-827-5228, mwinterstein@AMTonline.org
Anne Marie Liska, Industry Economist, 703-827-5223, aliska@AMTonline.org
Fourth quarter 2006 industrial laser shipments down 20.2 percent
At $160.4 million, fourth quarter 2006 shipments of industrial laser equipment and systems for North America and U.S. exports are down 20.2 percent from shipments of the same quarter in 2005, according to the Laser Systems Product Group (LSPG) of AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology. Industrial laser equipment and systems shipments within North America by the 32 companies reporting to the fourth quarter 2006 LSPG statistical program totaled $134.7 million, while exports amounted to approximately $25.0 million.
The report from the LSPG shows that shipments of CO2 laser systems decreased 74.8 percent, while Nd:YAG lasers decreased 84.1 percent, compared with fourth quarter 2005. The report also shows cutting applications as the largest source of industrial laser activity in fourth quarter 2006, accounting for 78.8 percent of all fourth quarter 2006 shipments. In addition, 83.2 percent of industrial lasers shipped for fourth quarter 2006 were of the CO2 variety and 84.2 percent of total shipments were configured as a laser system (laser source + workstation).
“The slowdown in laser orders compared to last year reflects the importance of a strong automotive market to laser producers,” said John B. Byrd III, AMT President. “Growth in other major markets such as aerospace and medical in 2007 should help to improve this year’s results.”
Fourth quarter 2006 dollar figures are based on data supplied by 32 contributors to the fourth quarter LSPG statistical survey. The year-on-year percent change in CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers reflects the contributions of only those companies that participated in the statistical program in the fourth quarters of both 2005 and 2006. The report does not include shipments attributed to the addition of new program participants during the fourth quarter 2006.
The Laser Systems Product Group comprises AMT member companies that produce laser systems and industrial laser sources. The LSPG operates as a forum for the industrial laser systems supplier community, acting cooperatively to increase the rate of growth of industrial laser products and systems in North America. While LSPG members must be members of AMT, any North American company building or supplying industrial laser equipment may participate in the LSPG statistical program. Companies that meet the eligibility requirements and would like to participate in the LSPG statistical program should contact Anne Marie Liska, Industry Economist, at 703-827-5223 or aliska@AMTonline.org.
Questions about the industrial laser market in North America, or the LSPG statistical program, can also be directed to Anne Marie Liska. For more information about the LSPG and its efforts to promote the industrial laser industry in North America, please call Mario Winterstein, AMT Business Development Director, at 703-827-5228 or mwinterstein@AMTonline.org.
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