U.S. machine sales jump in Q4

Total dollar shipments of plastics machinery for the fourth quarter 2002 were 23% higher than the same period in 2001, according to figures released by SPI’s Committee on Equipment Statistics. For the year 2002, new orders for injection molding, blow molding, extrusion and auxiliary equipment were $1.26 billion, up 6.9% from the $1.17 billion in sales registered the previous year. By sector, the injection molding market decreased by 1.4% and extrusion shipments increased 3.6%, both figures in unit shipments. Blow molding shipments suffered the most severe decline, falling nearly 37%. Sales for auxiliary equipment saw an overall 8.2% increase, with a 30% rise in order dollars. The SPI committee report predicts modest growth in equipment sales for 2003.