PTDA’s Industry Research Reports Growth in 1Q18; PTDA Business Index remains above Five-Year Average

The first quarter 2018 Sales History & Outlook Report (SHOR) released by the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) indicates the average PTDA distributors’ index for total sales during 1Q18 was up 5.5 percent from the year-ago level and is growing at an accelerating pace. PTDA manufacturers’ average index for total sales had an even better result, up 8.4 percent from a year ago.

The 2Q2018 PTDA Business Index ticked down slightly to a reading of 70.3 compared to the first quarter 2018 reading of 72.6 but still remains above ISM’s U.S. Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) of 58.1. The PTDA Business Index and the PMI are both above their five-year averages (58.6 and 54.6, respectively) illustrating the robust growth among PTDA members and within the industrial sector.

PTDA members participating in SHOR receive the results and forecasts through 2020 at no charge approximately 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter. For more specifics on the forecast for power transmission/motion control sales through distribution as well as forecasts for manufacturer sales, purchase the 1Q2018 SHOR at ptda.org/SHOR.

The PTDA Business Index is modeled after the widely respected PMI and tracks change in business activity, new orders, employment, supplier deliveries, inventories, prices and backlog in the PT/MC industry to arrive at an overall index. The entire 2Q2018 PTDA Business Index report is available through PTDA’s website at ptda.org/Index.

The Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) is the leading global association for the industrial power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distribution channel. Headquartered in Chicago, PTDA represents power transmission/motion control distribution firms that generate more than $16 billion in sales and span over 2,700 locations. PTDA members also include 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, call +1.312.516.2100, visit ptda.org or follow on LinkedIn or Twitter at @PTDAorg.