Power Transmission/Motion Control Industry Tempers Year-End Outlook

Chicago, IL—The PTDA Business Index for 1Q2014 indicates continued growth in the power transmission/motion control market but tempered expectations for year-end 2014.

This quarterly survey of PTDA’s distributor and manufacturer members continues to point to growth, with the 1Q2014 Business Index at 63.6, up from the 4Q2013 reading of 60.2. However, when asked about their outlook for the entire year, survey participants lowered their expectations from 7% growth to 6% growth, suggesting expectations of weakness later in the year.

***Note: The index reading indicates the rate of change compared with the previous period. For example, a reading of 50 indicates no change from the prior period while readings above 50 indicate growth and below 50 indicate contraction. The further the index is above or below 50 suggests a faster or slower rate of change.

The entire 1Q2014 PTDA Business Index report is available through PTDA’s website at www.ptda.org/index. It includes distributor and manufacturer breakout data in addition to historical data. The PTDA Business Index is modeled after the widely respected Purchasing Managers Index 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 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 168 power transmission/motion control distribution firms that generate more than $16 billion in sales and span over 3,400 locations in nine nations. PTDA members also include over 200 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 http://www.ptda.org