CEMA: Conveyor industry orders up 38.28% in first six months

The Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association (CEMA) recently reported that overall industry orders (bookings) for the first 6 months of 2011 increased 38.28% compared to the same period in 2010, with total orders of $4.58 billion. CEMA estimates industry billed sales (shipments) for the first 6 months of 2011 increased 39.51% compared to the same period in 2010, with total shipments of $4.13 billion.

In the Bulk Conveying area, orders were up 31.0% and shipments were up 32.1%. Unit Handling orders were up 44.0% and shipments were up 46.2%.

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

The executives representing CEMA member companies who attended the Fall Meeting expressed cautious optimism for the remainder of 2011 and were forecasting a 18% increase in
shipments for 2011 (changed from March 2011 forecast of an 8% increase). CEMA President, George Huber III announced the results at the Association’s Fall Meeting in Chicago, Illinois.