More packaging machines, construction equipment, testing standards

Packaging machinery shipments went up last year, according to PMMI, while an AEM study shows that construction equipment exports were up at midyear 2008. And TÜV SÜD America is doubling the number of its testing standards. A motor manufacturer purchased a maker of mechanical power transmission components. 
U.S. shipments of packaging machinery rose 3.9% in 2007 , at a value of $6.207 billion, according to the PMMI 2008 Shipments & Outlook Study , an annual research report based on data gathered from 369 U.S. and Canadian machinery manufacturers that includes forecasts and detailed analyses for 17 machinery categories.
“ PMMI believes the sales numbers, in the face of a slow economic period, illustrate the strength of PMMI member company market position,” said Charles D. Yuska, president and CEO, PMMI.
The 3.9 percent increase in 2007 extends the streak of machinery shipment gains to six consecutive years.
The Study showed that more than three-fourths of machinery sales go directly to end-use consumers through in-house sales staff or manufacturer’s reps.
Yuska said market segments with the greatest demand for packaging machinery were food (37.9% of sales), beverage (22.3%), and pharmaceutical/medical device (9.9%). The three end-use markets account for 70% of total shipments, slightly lower than in 2006, because spending in the pharmaceutical and beverage markets slowed.
Canadian packaging machinery shipment growth passed U.S. growth for the first time in five years, increasing 5.7%. Canadian gross domestic product was 2.7% vs. 2.0% in the U.S. Nearly two-thirds of Canadian shipments are exported, primarily to the U.S. Canada’s sales to end-use markets are similar to U.S. sales, with the same top three segments (food, beverage and pharmaceutical) totaling nearly the same.
Participating PMMI member companies receive the final report free of charge; other PMMI members can purchase it for $1,500; non-members, for $2,500.

Baldor Electric Co. has acquired Poulies Maska Inc. of Ste-Claire, Quebec, Canada. Maska is a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of sheaves, bushings, couplings, and related mechanical power transmission components, with 180 employees and a new facility in China. Last year’s sales were approximately $33 million. John McFarland, chairman and CEO of Baldor , said that over the last five years Maska’s sales and profits increased by nearly 50% and that their sheaves and bushings complement Baldor’s Dodge line with each having success in different parts of the market.
Maska’s operating and gross margins exceed Baldor’s overall margins and the company will now have the leading market share in sheaves and bushings in North America. Baldor will have a second plant in China to support international growth.
The transaction was funded by cash and an existing credit facility; additional terms were not disclosed.

U.S.-made construction machinery exports gained 24% at midyear 2008 , compared to the first half of 2007, for more than $10 billion dollars worth of equipment shipped to global markets, according to data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) .
Table: 11 countries buying the most U.S.-made
construction machinery,

The trade group consolidates U.S. Commerce Department data with other sources into a quarterly global export trends report for members.
Major world regions recorded double-digit growth except for Central America, with a 3% increase. Africa led with a 59% gain followed by South America with growth of 30%.
Africa purchased $692 million worth of U.S.-made construction equipment, a gain of 59% during January-June 2007. South America took delivery of $1.4 billion worth of construction machinery, a 30% increase beyond 2007 first-half purchases. Exports to Central America came in at $838 million, a 3% gain.
Exports of construction equipment to Asia totaled $1.35 billion, a 16% increase compared to the first half of this year. Exports to Australia/Oceania rose 19% to $856 million for the first half of 2008.
Europe tallied purchases of $1.6 billion dollars worth of construction equipment, a 21% increase, and construction machinery exports to Canada rose 28% for January-June 2008 at $3.35 billion.
“The lack of U.S. infrastructure investment is eroding America’s position as a global economic power as nations around the world substantially increase their commitments to modern transportation networks,” said AEM senior vice president Al Cervero. “In the United States, traffic gridlock is estimated to cost $78 billion dollars a year on the American economy and productivity, in addition to adverse effects on safety and the environment. Federal legislators must take this issue seriously, and invest adequately for current and future needs as part of a longer term comprehensive strategy.”
TÜV SÜD America Inc . doubled its testing standards and is now able to offer customers product testing on more than 140 UL/ANSI standards. Recognized by OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL), TÜV can perform electrical safety certification to North American requirements for medical devices, machinery, IT equipment, and laboratory test and measurement equipment, including uninterruptible power supply equipment and handheld motor-operated electric tools 
Recognized Testing Laboratories are private third-party organizations recognized by OSHA under Federal code 29 CFR 1910.7 to provide product safety testing and certification services for a range of products used in the U.S. workplace. TÜV offers product testing to 147 product standards. Joe Janeliunas, director of Product Safety Services for TÜV SÜD America, said, "Product safety testing is very important for our customers in their ability to meet national regulatory requirements to avoid delays in deliveries to their customers. Our . . . quick turnaround times allow the manufacturers to meet their demanding scheduling in getting products to the marketplace.” 
In addition to being an NRTL, TÜV SÜD is an SCC- accredited Certification Body, a European Union Notified Body, and a National Certification Body (NCB), accreditations that permit the company to test to multiple-country testing schemes simultaneously, providing a fast, low-cost alternative to global product safety certification. 
TÜV SÜD America also offers standards and certification training tools including free live and on-demand webinars, public training, and private in-house seminars.

— Control Engineering News Desk
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