Shipments of plastics machinery in North America experienced a notable rise during the fourth quarter of 2015, according to the latest data from SPI's Committee on Equipment Statistics (CES). That fourth-quarter performance contributed to the sixth straight year of increases in annual shipments.
Here are some of the supporting data: Shipments of injection molding, extrusion and blow molding equipment came to $390.6 million in the fourth quarter, which was 29 percent higher than the third quarter and 13 percent higher than the total for the fourth quarter of 2014. The CES collects monthly orders and shipments data from makers of injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, thermoforming, hot-runner and auxiliary equipment.
In primary equipment, injection molding machinery experienced the largest increase in the value of shipments for the fourth quarter, with an 18.2 percent increase compared to the same period in 2014. By comparison, the shipment value of single-screw extruders increased 16.9 percent during that period but the shipment value of blow molding machines dropped 52.9 percent.
Companies reported new bookings for auxiliary equipment totaled $126.7 million, which was an increase of 22.4 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2014.
