The Cutting Edge — September 2003

Export Development

By Harold Zassenhaus, WMMA Export Director (zemg@erols.com)

The following is a summary of major trends of U.S. import and exports for the first quarter 2003. Statistics are reported for all woodworking equipment and its three component parts: machines, cutting tools, and accessories and parts.

(WMMA members: to view detailed tables on U.S. imports and exports of machinery, cutting tools and parts and accessories, click here . You will need your user name and password. If you don’t have one or forgot it, contact WMMA Headquarters at 215-564-3484 or email wmma@fernley.com.

Harold Zassenhaus is available to provide U.S. export and import data on specific product categories. For more information, contact him at (301) 652 0693; fax (301) 986 1389 or e-mail: zemg@erols.com.

Imports
Imports continued to rise, although at about ½ the rate of the first quarter. Imports from both Europe and Asia reflected significant shipment increases. For the first six months shipments from China grew 48%, accounting for the large majority of the shipment increase from East Asia. China now accounts for 17% of the total import market (mostly smaller band saws, mitre saws and tilting arbor saws). Western Europe continued to increase shipments, especially from Germany and Italy, each recording jumps in excess of 43% over the same period a year ago. Especially popular for the first six months were machining centers both new and used.

The following chart highlights the value and percentage changes in imports from the industry’s major trading regions of the world.

Exports
Exports of woodworking equipment (machines, cutting tools, plus parts and accessories) grew by 8%. Sales to Europe improved, especially to the UK (over $6 million and an increase of 38%). However shipments to our other traditional customers - Germany, Italy and France - were soft. Areas of growing interest include the Netherlands, Portugal and Ireland.

In East Asia the economies continue to improve holding out promise to members. Bright spots were China/Hong Kong (up 50% to over $6 million), Korea, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam.

In South America the story is the opposite. Sales to Chile were down 10%, and to Brazil by almost ½. Bright spots include sales of tooling machining centers and used equipment.

In Eastern Europe, Poland continued to be a relatively strong market. Exports increased by 30% and accounted for the bulk of sales to the region.

Elsewhere there were some very bright spots, including Australia (up 80% to $5 million); New Zealand (up over 100% to $1.4 million) and South Africa.