Economic slowdown hits tools

The economic slowdown has struck manufacturers of factory equipment and tools, but the hit hasn't been too severe. All 19 industries classified here as tools manufacturers saw their U.S. end markets slow in the 12-mo ending March 2001, but in most cases, the deceleration was miniscule. For example, the industry that makes instruments to measure electricity (SIC 3825) saw end-market growth sl...

By Staff June 1, 2001

The economic slowdown has struck manufacturers of factory equipment and tools, but the hit hasn’t been too severe. All 19 industries classified here as tools manufacturers saw their U.S. end markets slow in the 12-mo ending March 2001, but in most cases, the deceleration was miniscule.

For example, the industry that makes instruments to measure electricity (SIC 3825) saw end-market growth slow to “only” 48.62%, down from 53.87% in the 12-mo ending December 2000. That change is a 5.3% slowdown, but it’s from such a high level that the change hardly registers.

More noticeable is the negative growth seen in the fluid meters (SIC 3824) and process controls instruments (SIC 3823) industries. Here, end-markets fell 3.38% in the 12-mo ending March 2001.

The demand slowdown should brighten prospects for plant engineers who are buying new equipment and tools. Tools producers may be more willing to cut prices in order to maintain market share. We also see improvements in the margin conditions for 11 industries in the tools and equipment arena.

Price/cost/demand roundup

Industry
SIC
Average Product Prices
Average Product Prices
Direct Mfg. Costs
Direct Mfg. Costs
Growth in U.S. End Markets
Growth in U.S. End Markets

the average producer in an industry. Grades of A to A+ mean plant engineers may be able to strike a better bargain with suppliers and better control plant costs.

All data prepared and presented by Thinking Cap Solutions, Inc., Port Angeles, WA (telephone: 360-452-6159; e-mail: ebaatz@ice-alert.com).

Other hand and edge tools
3423
1.03
0.99
Stable
B
6.23
5.31

Hand saws and saw blades
3425
0.42
0.29
Stable
C
4.26
2.69

Other hardware
3429
1.91
1.61
Stable
A
3.61
1.61

Other power transmission equipment
3568
1.09
1.04
Stable
A+
6.15
3.62

Conveyors and conveying equipment
3535
1.13
1.46
Stable
A+
7.23
5.86

Hoists, cranes, and monorails
3536
1.76
1.94
Stable
A+
6.35
4.36

Industrial trucks and tractors
3537
1.23
1.54
Stable
A
8.73
6.48

Metal-cutting machine tools
3541
0.78
0.74
Stable
C
17.29
15.47

Machine tool accessories
3545
0.98
1.30
Stable
F
11.19
8.31

Power driven hand tools
3546
0.21
0.65
Stable
F
3.65
2.36

Welding apparatus
3548
2.12
2.04
Stable
B
2.49
-0.30

Pumps and pumping equipment
3561
1.66
1.86
Stable
A
4.00
2.47

Air and gas compressors
3563
1.21
1.17
Stable
B
4.00
2.47

Speed changers, drives, and gears
3566
2.13
2.22
Stable
A
6.15
3.62

Transformers
3612
2.40
1.56
Stable
C
33.00
30.68

Motors and generators
3621
0.23
0.32
Stable
F
22.98
20.39

Process control instruments
3823
1.10
1.16
Stable
C
-0.54
-3.38

Fluid meters and counting devices
3824
2.66
2.74
Stable
D
-0.54
-3.38

Instruments to measure electricity
3825
1.34
1.35
Stable
F-
3.87
48.62