Based on results from its 2010 Distributor Survey, the Bearing Specialists Association (BSA) is forecasting 4.8% compound industry sales growth in 2010. Survey results also revealed that BSA member distributors represent 76.8% of MRO authorized distribution in the U.S., demonstrating the significant marketplace role played by the association’s factory-authorized distributor members.

This is the first time the bearing industry association has included a forecast in its Distributor Survey Report. The forecast is based on results from the association’s Distributor Survey presented by Gordon Duncan, Kinecor LP, at the 2010 Annual Convention, May 1-4 in Naples, Florida. In his presentation of the survey results, Duncan noted that this is the third year for the report, allowing for the inclusion of some trend data.

Duncan noted that although only 60% of BSA’s distributor members responded to the survey, “we know that the response rate among the larger distributors was much higher.” In fact, BSA believes that the results in this report represent over 85% of the ABMA product sold through authorized distribution. Based on U.S. bearings sales of $1.92 billion by distributors in the 2009 survey (down from $2.63 billion in 2008), BSA member distributors represent 76.8% of MRO authorized distribution in the U.S.

In addition to the BSA Distributor Survey Results, the 2010 Annual Convention featured an important American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA) industry update from Bruce Warmbold, Schaeffler Group. As reported by ABMA, U.S. bearing consumption in 2009 totaled $5.6 billion dollars. (The global market was $30 billion, down from $36.5 billion in 2008.)

Although both the BSA and ABMA reports reflected the challenging marketplace conditions in 2009, they also clearly reveal the substance of the U. S. bearing industry.

BSA is the “must belong to organization for authorized bearing distributors.” An international service and educational organization of distributors representing a total of almost 100 companies distributing factory-warranted ball-, roller-, and anti-friction bearings and invited manufacturers of bearings and related products, the association’s mission says, “BSA is the forum to enhance networking and knowledge sharing and promote the sale of bearings through authorized distributors.” For more information on BSA contact the BSA office at (630) 858-3838; fax (630) 790-3095; email info@bsahome.org or visit the association website at www.bsahome.org. ###

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