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. It 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.