CEMA reports September booked orders down, shipments up year over year

In accordance with the cautious optimism expressed among members during its annual meeting in September, the Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association reported strong year over year shipments in September, even as booked orders decreased 15.1% when compared to September 2011 orders.

“These numbers are no surprise. Members had reported a softening during the fall meeting, but we expect a bump in October,” said Bob Reinfried, executive vice president of CEMA. “If that doesn’t come, then we’ll have to go out and see what’s going on.”

Reinfried noted the election and general state of the economy as key influences on the softening, but said numbers could rebound now that uncertainty around the elections is resolved.

September 2012 booked orders when compared to August 2012 booked orders were down 20.4%. September booked orders were down 9.2% for bulk handling equipment and down 27.5% for unit handling equipment when compared to August.

CEMA’s September 2012 billed sales (shipments) increased by 17.1% when compared to September 2011 sales. September 2012 billed sales when compared to August 2012 billed sales were down 11.1%.

September billed sales were down 14% for bulk handling equipment and down 8.6% for unit handling equipment when compared to August.