SPI data show machinery sales better than last year, but cooled from second quarter

The value of plastics machinery shipments in the third quarter, reported by U.S. equipment manufacturers, was up significantly compared with last year’s Q3 values, but down from the second quarter of 2004, according to a report from the Society of the Plastics Industry Inc. (SPI).
Companies participating in SPI’s Committee on Equipment Statistics — U.S. manufacturers or importers of plastics machinery and equipment — shipped a total of $246 million of product in the third quarter of 2004, a slight decrease of 4% from the second quarter of 2004. However, the Q3 2004 values showed an increase of 22% from the same period a year prior.
The Committee on Equipment Statistics’ “Third Quarter 2004 Report” provides an overview of plastics equipment shipments from Third Quarter 2003 through Third Quarter 2004 and includes an analysis of the U.S. economy and the plastics industry, looking at such factors as general economic indicators and durable good shipments to provide perspective for trends in plastics equipment sales and shipments. The report can be purchased online at www.plasticsdatasource.org/equipment or by calling SPI’s literature sales department, (800) 541-0736.
Among the data included in the report:
Units of blowmolding equipment shipped in Q3 2004 saw a 21% decline from the second quarter the same year, but shipment dollars were up 9% in that same time period. However, previous year comparisons in the sector show only a slight decrease of 4% in units.
Units of extrusion equipment shipped in Q3 2004 saw a notable increase of 5% when compared with the second quarter 2004. Likewise, shipment dollars were up 8% over the same time frame. The sector saw more significant gains in previous year comparisons, with a 12% increase in total units shipped and a 33% boost in shipment dollars.
The injection molding machinery sector saw slight declines in Q3 2004 compared with the previous quarter, experiencing a drop of 5% in units shipped and 7% in shipment dollars. However, the sector saw more notable growth in previous year comparisons, with units shipped up 23% and shipment dollars up more than 21% percent.
Third quarter 2004 plastics auxiliary equipment shipments totaled $79.3 million, a 10% decrease from the previous quarter the same year, but an 18% increase from the same time frame the previous year.
The plastics components sector saw a 7% drop in shipments from the second quarter 2004, but booked a 16% increase when compared with the third quarter 2003.