Things are looking up for Canadian and US power transmission and motion control manufacturers, according to a new report.

The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) most recent Market Outlook Report, U.S. and Canadian manufacturers' sales increased in the month of January, with U.S. manufacturers posting a slight increase of 0.1 percent and Canadian manufacturers' sales rising by 10.4 percent.

While US sales still reflect sales declines between January 2009 and January 2010 - with year-to-date sales down 12.8 percent - Canadian manufacturers' year-to-year sales are up 2.9 percent. U.S. manufacturers' confidence rose from 4.9 in December to a neutral position of 5.0 -- the highest position in a year.  Canadian manufacturers' confidence rose slightly to 4.6 from 4.5 in December 2009. 

Month-to-month sales for product categories between December 2009 and January 2010 for U.S. and Canadian manufacturers are:

U.S. Manufacturer Percent Change in Product Sales
(December 2009 vs. January 2010)

Canadian Manufacturer Percent Change in Product Sales
(December 2009 vs. January 2010)

The full report includes U.S. and Canadian manufacturer data for sales and order trends for mounted bearings, unmounted bearings, standard industrial motors (U.S. only), variable speed drives, positioning systems/linear motion products, gear products, clutches and brakes, shaft couplings and mechanical drive systems and other PT products. For mor

Year-end data for 2008 and 2009 is available in a complete report.  The monthly data is available by subscription via e-mail or mail.  To purchase the year-end data or to begin a subscription to the monthly data, order online at www.ptda.org/store or call PTDA at +1.312.516.2100.  PTDA members may download the report at no charge through the PTDA Web site at www.ptda.org/MOR.

Founded in 1960, the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) is the leading association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel.  A U.S.-based trade association, PTDA represents 198 power transmission/motion control distribution firms that generate more than $10 billion in sales and span 3,500 locations in North America and 11 other countries.  PTDA members also include 187 manufacturers that supply the PT/MC industry.

PTDA is dedicated to providing exceptional networking, targeted education, relevant information and leading-edge business tools to help distributors and manufacturers meet marketplace demands competitively and profitably.  For more information, visit www.ptda.org.