The third quarter Sales History & Outlook Report (SHOR) released by the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) shows power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distributor sales are slowing in growth, with the growth rate up 10.6 percent from one year ago. PT/MC manufacturer sales continue to decline with three-month moving average the steepest on record, down 56.2 percent from the December 2014 peak. Of the six manufacturer product categories tracked, two are in recovery, one is showing slower growth and three are in recession.

Developed in conjunction with ITR Economics, PTDA’s new quarterly SHOR collects company sales data each quarter from PT/MC distributors and manufacturers and presents the aggregate results in customized reports. SHOR tracks total PT/MC sales for both distributors and manufacturers. It also tracks six specific product categories for manufacturers only: bearings, motors, controls, gearing, conveyors/conveyor materials handling equipment, and hydraulics/pneumatics. Data provided for these categories are also represented in charts to track overall product movement as well as total sales movement.

In addition, based on the data provided by PTDA members, ITR creates forecasts of future industry sales three years out. An analysis is provided highlighting major economic trends identified during the forecast process that may impact one’s company. This information is critical for all companies making and selling PT/MC products in order to create data-driven business plans for marketing initiatives, resource allocation and product launches.