Sales of industrial controls rise again

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) in Rosslyn, Va., posted its latest Primary Industrial Controls Index, showing a 2.3 percent quarter-to-quarter increase during the fourth quarter of 2009. After the index plunged more than 34 percent from its peak in just the span of four quarters, it has managed to post gains—albeit modest ones—in each of the last two quarters. The Primary Industrial Controls and Adjustable Speed Drives Index, which serves as a broader measure of demand for the industrial controls market, also recorded its second consecutive quarter-to-quarter increase with a 4.1 percent gain during 2009Q4. With that said, demand remains at a low level as the index is still down 18.5 percent on a year-over-year basis.