Slight Increase in Shipments of Hand-Held Gasoline Powered Trimmers and Chain Saws Predicted this Year

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) predicts that shipments of hand-held gasoline powered trimmers and chain saws will post moderate gains during 2005. The OPEI expects a 2.2% increase in 2005 for blowers, back pack blowers, trimmers and chain saws. In 2006, growth is expected to slow to 0.7% over 2005, with total shipments for 2006 totaling just under 12.5 million units for these products. The products forecast to experience shipments declines for 2005 and 2006 are gasoline blowers, both hand-held and back pack types. For 2006, OPEI predicts some growth for trimmers and chain saws, but less than 2.0% for the year.

The OPEI economic forecast was prepared by Association Research Inc., based on the national economic outlook prepared by the Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics at the University of Michigan.

For more info, visit www.opei.org