PowerTracker Summary Q3 2021: Gen-Set Sales Growth Constrained by Supply Chain Delays

Joe Zirnhelt
Joe Zirnhelt

SUMMARY: Our PowerTrackerTM survey of dealers and distributors reported that overall gen-set sales increased in Q3 2021 up 4.3% from Q2 2021 levels.  This builds on a sales increase of 6.8% in Q2 2021 and a slower start to the year of -7.4% in Q1 2021 as sales were constrained by availability and supply issues. 

This quarter’s results were based on interviews with 110 gen-set dealer and distributor respondents based in North America. The overarching theme in the third quarter was a continuation of sales growth being constrained by the availability and supply of gen-sets.  Longer lead times for dealers to receive shipments is limiting their sales – even though demand from end users remains at high levels. 

The data comes from the proprietary PowerTrackerTM series of syndicated surveys conducted each quarter by Power Systems Research. Each quarter we interview gen-set dealers and distributors and other businesses across North America to maintain a pulse on the sales channels as well as monitor the ongoing needs and plans for businesses to purchase standby gen-sets to support their business operations.

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NA Gen-Set Sales Strong in Q3 2018

SUMMARY: Gen-set sales in North America climbed 6% in Q3 2018 over Q2 2018, with the focus switching from larger industrial standby’s and construction site power generation earlier in the year to residential standby sales as part of winter-preparedness.

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Pandemic Leads to Accelerating Losses For NA Gen-Set Dealers in Q1 2020

SUMMARY: Gen-set sales in Q1 2020 fell 9.8% from Q4 2019, as the United States faces perhaps its most serious economic and public health crisis since the Great Depression. No power range was immune to the decline.

Sales in the 51-100kW range dropped 13%, the largest drop of any range, while the 101-300kW range faired the best, only shedding 6.5% of sales from Q4 2019.

The losses were felt fairly evenly across applications, with temporary power falling the least at 7%, and standbys the most at 10%. Looking by customer type, commercial sales had their worst first quarter in at least the last five years, falling by 9.5%.

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Gen-Set Sales Start Slow in Q1 2017

SUMMARY: Considering sales across all power ranges, gen-set sales were off to a slower start in Q1 2017, down 5.5% compared to Q4 2016 levels.  This decrease follows Q4 2016 where overall dealer reported sales were flat relative to Q3 2016 levels.

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Gen-Set Sales Gain Momentum in Q2 2017

SUMMARY: Considering sales across all power ranges, gen-set sales gathered some momentum in Q2 2017, up 1.8% compared to Q1 2017 levels.  This increase follows Q1 2017 where overall dealer reported sales were down 5.5% relative to Q4 2016 levels.

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Hurricane Effects Lift Q3 2017 Gen-Set Sales

SUMMARY: Gen-set sales experienced a sharp increase in Q3 2017 with overall sales up 21.8% over Q2 2017 levels due to demand from hurricanes Harvey and Irma.  This increase follows Q2 2017 where dealer reported sales were up 1.8% relative to Q1 2017 levels.

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Gen-Set Sales Plateau as Supply Chain Catches Up in Q1 2021

Joe Zirnhelt
Joe Zirnhelt

SUMMARY: Our PowerTrackerTM dealer and distributor survey of 200 respondents reported that overall gen-set sales declined in Q1 2021 down 7.4% from Q4 2020 levels.  This decrease follows three consecutive quarters in 2020 where dealers reported overall sales increases of 4.5% in Q2 2020 followed by 11.9% in Q3 2020 and 6.3% in Q4 2020.

Although sales were down 7.4% in the first quarter, the results were unique in that there was a different story depending on the fuel and power range being considered.

The data comes from the proprietary PowerTrackerTM series of syndicated surveys conducted each quarter by Power Systems Research. A total of 300 interviews are completed each quarter with gen-set dealers and distributors and businesses across North America.

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PowerTracker™ Report: Gen-Set Sales Rebound in Q3 2020

Joe Zirnhelt
Joe Zirnhelt

SUMMARY: Our PowerTrackerTM dealer and distributor survey of 200 respondents reported that gen-set sales recovered some momentum in Q3 2020 up 11.9% from Q2 2020 levels.  This increase follows a slow start to the year in Q1 2020 where overall dealer reported sales were down 9.8% from Q4 2019 levels and Q2 2020 where we observed a quarterly increase of 4.5% over the low Q1 2020 levels.

The only part of the market that seemingly did not recover in Q3 2020 was the diesel <20 kW with -8.3% for <10 kW and -3.6% for 10-20 kW.  The remainder of diesel (>20 kW) had single digit quarterly increases across the power ranges.  The gaseous fueled gen-sets had the most significant rebound this quarter with all power ranges up to 500 kW with a greater than 10% quarterly change – helping to offset the weak first half of 2020 as concerns and shutdowns ensued over COVID-19.

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NA Gen-Set Sales Climb in Q4 2020

Joe Zirnhelt
Joe Zirnhelt

SUMMARY: Our PowerTrackerTM dealer and distributor survey of 200 respondents reported that overall gen-set sales continued a positive trend in Q4 2020 up 6.3% from Q3 2020 levels.  Sales gains could have been even higher because dealers ran out of inventory. This increase follows a slow start to the year in Q1 2020 where overall dealer reported sales were down 9.8% from Q4 2019 levels followed by successive increases of 4.5% in Q2 2020 and 11.9% in Q3 2020.

Although sales were up 6.3% for the fourth quarter, the results were unique in that there was a different story depending on the fuel and power range being considered.  The quarterly sales increase was anchored by abnormally high increases for gaseous fueled units in the 10-50 kW range and moderate to large decreases in the other power ranges of gaseous fuels as well as diesel fueled sets.

The data comes from the proprietary PowerTrackerTM series of syndicated surveys conducted each quarter by Power Systems Research. A total of 500 interviews are completed each quarter with gen-set dealers and distributors and businesses across North America.

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