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.
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 CO 2 lasers increased nearly 50% for 2Q04, while Nd:YAG lasers were up over 130% compared to 2Q03. The report also shows 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 CO 2 type, and nearly 90% of total shipments were configured a laser system, which is defined as a laser source and workstation.
‘Productivity and cost reduction are driving capital investment in 2004, which is why laser orders are up 60% through the first six months. Investing in the latest manufacturing technology is what will keep American manufacturing competitive,’ says Dave Plourde, LSPG chairman and Preco Laser Systems’ sales VP.
2Q04 dollar figures are based on data supplied by contributors to LSPG’s statistical survey. The year-on-year percent change in CO 2 and Nd:YAG lasers reflects the contributions of only those companies that participated in the statistical program in both 2Q03 and 2Q04. The report doesn’t include increased shipments caused by the addition of new program participants in 2Q04.
Control Engineering Daily News Desk
Jim Montague, new editor
[email protected]
