Overall conveyor industry billed sales for the first six months of 2008 dropped 3.3%, compared to the first half of 2007, according to numbers recently released from the Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association (CEMA).

Total shipments in the first half of the year are estimated at $3.89 billion, with industry orders (bookings) at $3.87 billion.

Executives who attended CEMA's fall meeting in Chicago were pleased with the 2008 results, but expressed concern about the next 12 to 18 months. In July, conveyor sales dropped 35%, after a 41% increase from May to June. Bulk accessories bookings were up 18% and shipments up 15%, while screw conveyor shipments were up 3%. Unit handling orders were down 9% and shipments were down 10%.

CEMA tracks new orders and shipped sales volume in seven classes of unit handling equipment and five classes of bulk handling equipment.