CEMA notes record-setting growth at fall meeting

At its annual meeting last week, members of the Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association (CEMA) expressed cautious optimism for the future while celebrating the second consecutive year of record-breaking numbers.

According to Bob Reinfried, executive vice president of CEMA, some members reported a slowdown in July and August, but said September was on track to be a strong month. “The optimism is cautious because of the rumblings about the state of the economy,” he said. “But things are looking good out there.”

Reinfried said the 12-month forecast looks even better than the six-month projections. “Across the board, people are feeling very good about the rest of the year, and we’re looking forward to 2013 as well.”

CEMA reports that overall industry orders (bookings) for the first six months of 2012 increased 22.79% compared to the same period in 2011, with total orders of $5.46 billion.

CEMA estimates industry billed sales (shipments) for the first six months of 2012 increased 30.37% compared to the same period in 2011, with total shipments of $5.22 billion.

In the Bulk Conveying area, orders were up 40.8% and shipments were up 40.5%. Unit Handling orders were up 10.0% and shipments were up 22.1%.

CEMA tracks new orders and shipped sales volume in nine classes of unit handling equipment and four classes of bulk handling equipment. As a result of the continued strong order rate, the executives representing CEMA member companies who attended the Fall Meeting were forecasting a 17% to 20% increase in shipments for 2012 (changed from March 2012 forecast of an 10% increase). CEMA President, Ron Arkema announced the results at the Association’s Fall Meeting in Chicago, Illinois.