COVID-Proof Trends in Fluid Power Shipments

In a continued annual news series on trends in fluid power shipments, we again examine three very consistent trends worth watching over the last twelve years using “month-to-month % change” analysis on historical shipments index data from NFPA’s Confidential Shipment Statistics Program. First, let us revisit the trends and historical analysis from last year’s article:

1. An increase in shipments from February to March. 12-year Average Increase: +11.5%
2. A decrease in shipments from June to July. 12-year Average Decrease: -7.6%
3. A decrease in shipments from October to November. 12-year Average Decrease: -11.2%

When re-examining the consistency of these trends after updating the twelve-year period by removing 2008 and including 2020 to the “month-to-month % change” analysis of fluid power shipments (see below), the results reveal a continued consistency in all three trends:

1. An increase in shipments from February to March. 12-year Average Increase: +11.3%
2. A decrease in shipments from June to July. 12-year Average Decrease: -8.1%
3. A decrease in shipments from October to November. 12-year Average Decrease: -10.3%

Despite three major downturns (the 2009 and 2015/2016 recessions and the 2020 COVID-19 downturn) during the examined time span, the trends remained consistent.

Also worth noting is an emerging fourth consistent trend: an increase in shipments from December to January. Over the last 12 years, this trend has proven true every year except for 2009, due to the major recession that began late 2008.

Continue tracking these and many other fluid power industry trends with NFPA’s Confidential Shipment Statistics Program.

The Confidential Shipments Statistics (CSS) Program: The CSS Program is the only monthly source of aggregated industry data for the US fluid power industry. This report presents data on monthly shipments and orders collected from our membership and helps users understand trends and anticipate change within the industry. Member companies can benchmark their own company’s performance against overall industry performance using the CSS results. Data is collected from participating US fluid power manufacturers, compiled by a 3rd party to maintain confidentiality, and results are then only sent to CSS participants. Click here to enroll in CSS online.

Questions and inquiries about the Confidential Shipment Statistics (CSS) program can be directed to Eric Armstrong at earmstrong@nfpa.com or (414) 778-3372.