McLean, VA— Shipments of industrial laser equipment and systems to North America and U.S. exports were up roughly 75% to $173.6 million in the second quarter of 2004 (2Q04) from the same period a year earlier, according to the Laser Systems Product Group (LSPG) of the Association for Manufacturing Technology. Shipments within North America by the 41 companies reporting to LSPG's statistical program totaled $119.8 million, while exports amounted to $53.8 million.

LSPG's research found that shipment of CO₂ lasers increased nearly 50% for 2Q04, while Nd:YAG lasers were up over 130% compared to 2Q03. The report also shows material cutting applications as the largest source of industrial laser activity in 2Q04, accounting for approximately 55% of all shipments. Also, nearly 70% of industrial lasers shipped in 2Q04 were CO₂ type, and nearly 90% of total shipments were configured as a laser system, which is defined as a laser source and workstation.