The PTDA Business Index for 2Q2014 indicates strong growth in both business activity and new orders. From 1Q2014 to 2Q2014, business activity increased 12.7% (from 67.7 to 76.3) and new orders improved 14.5% (from 67.7 to 77.5).

This quarterly survey of PTDA’s distributor and manufacturer members continues to point to growth, with the 2Q2014 Business Index at 68.7, up from the 1Q2014 reading of 63.6.  However, when asked about their outlook for the entire year, survey participants’ expectations remained the same from the previous quarter at 6% growth. 

[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 2Q2014 PTDA Business Index report is available through PTDA’s website at 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 power transmission/motion control distribution firms that generate more than $16 billion in sales and span over 3,400 locations. PTDA members also include manufacturers that supply the PT/MC industry.