The PTDA Business Index for 4Q2014 indicates slowing but continued positive growth. However, manufacturers reported more positive growth in new orders, employment, supplier deliveries and inventories for 4Q2014 than distributors, a notable change from 2Q and 3Q 2014. Despite this upward swing, the overall 4Q2014 PTDA Business Index reading of 66.5 was slightly lower than the previous quarter's reading of 67.5. Both distributors and manufacturers anticipate 2015 to be another year of positive growth.

The entire 4Q2014 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.