NEMA’s
Primary Industrial Controls and Adjustable Speed Drives Index—the broader of
two industrial controls indices on which that association reports quarterly—rose
in Q1/12 9.5% above the Q1/11 level.
Additionally,
the Primary Industrial Controls Index, which is a narrower measure, was 12%
above its year-earlier level. NEMA said it was 52% “above the cyclical trough
observed in mid-2009.”
According
to NEMA’s economists, “Demand for industrial controls,
speed drives, and other related types of industrial equipment is expected to
remain at a high level for the remainder of 2012, although the pace of growth
will likely moderate as broader manufacturing activity growth slows. Rising
rates of manufacturing sector capacity utilization, healthy business balance sheets
and low financing costs will all provide near term support.”