Q2 2018 Shows Further Evidence of Paradigm Shifts Following 2017 Hurricanes

SUMMARY: Gen-set sales climbed 5% over Q1 2018 levels in anticipation of the camping season and end of fiscal year for many government and industrial consumers. While fewer dealers commented on specific-storm related residential demand this quarter, the 5% growth this quarter does seem to indicate that last year’s hurricanes may have raised the gen-set market up to a new normal, especially when compared to the 1.8% growth reported in Q2 of 2017.

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COVID-19 Hits European Pleasure Marine Industry

Natasa Mulahalilovic
Natasa Mulahalilovic

The year 2020 started very well for pleasure boat builders across the Europe but it was battered in mid-year by COVID-19. The Dusseldorf trade show, Boot, held at the end of January, ended with a positive outlook and promising results for 2020. Order books were full, thanks to the great boating mood created in previous years.

The unexpected and violent Covid-19 storm came up in March. Nobody was prepared to face the challenge. Builders had to stop production or to reduce their capacities to a minimum during April and May. Production schedules had to be reorganized according to security measures imposed by the local governments.

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Power Systems Research Expands Forecast Capabilities and Focus on Technology Adoption 

Guy Youngs Joins PSR Team
Guy Youngs
Guy Youngs

Power Systems Research (PSR), a leading source of global production and forecast information for powered equipment, has expanded its capabilities with the addition of Guy Youngs, an experienced market intelligence specialist.

Youngs, who has more than 30 years’ experience as an industry market analyst, most recently spent 11 years working for Perkins Engines in the United Kingdom.

While at Perkins Engines, he led the development of important forecast tools, including the creation of a Market Model used by Perkins Engines’ global team as a single source for its market analysis and planning efforts.

At PSR, Youngs will assume the new role of Forecast and Technology Adoption Lead. He will be responsible for continuing to develop and adapt PSR’s industry forecast, overseeing the rate of technology adoption of alternative power sources into the future outlook and technology mix. 

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Volvo Penta: Sustainability First , Zero-Emissions by 2050

Sources: Volvo Penta Press Releases, IBI News, Boating, Trade Only Today

Natasa Mulahalilovic
Natasa Mulahalilovic

Volvo Group announced that the company will focus on sustainable solutions in all business areas, from trucks and buses through construction to its marine division. The group objective is to become a zero-emission company by 2050, at the latest.

As part of this changeover, the Volvo Penta division, the world leader in marine engine and propulsion systems, is cutting its outboard engines production and sales. This reverses a major acquisition the company made in 2017.

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Global Recovery: Opportunities and Challenges

SUMMARY. The global economy, especially within the Engine, OEM and Components industries, has felt the immediate impact from COVID: assembly line shutdowns, labor issues, supply chain issues, logistics and transportation to name a few.  The pandemic has exposed many weak links in the global economic chain. However, by end of summer, most of these challenges were either completely resolved or temporary solutions had been put in place. 

Yosyf Sheremeta
Yosyf Sheremeta

Diversification has become the theme during the pandemic recovery, and we expect this trend to continue.  Not only are companies looking for new markets and suppliers to grow top and bottom line revenue as well as to minimize risks, but we see a shift into new industries.  Furthermore, rapid developments of new technologies create massive opportunities for OEMs and suppliers as well as posing real threats to OEMs that solely rely on traditional products that are powered by fossil fuels. 

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Market Updates: PowerSports, Lawn & Garden and Marine

New Powerboat Retail Sales Up 8%

Michael Aistrup
Michael Aistrup

Data from the National Marine Manufacturers Association shows August was another strong month for new powerboat retail sales, which were up 8% year to date on a seasonally adjusted basis compared to a year ago.

New power boat retail sales did slowed in August following increases in the early summer months. Total sales were down 13 percent compared to July, while sales are still strong with increases across all major categories, year to date. Sales of saltwater fishing boats, tow boats, cruisers and yachts each had double-digit growth ranging from 11 percent to 15 percent, compared to 2019.    PSR

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2021 Global Economic Outlook

Yosyf Sheremeta, PhD, Director of Product Management and Customer Experience, analyzes the Global economic outlook by region and industry segment.

Transcript

Welcome to the PSR PowerTALK podcast, produced by Power Systems Research.

00:06 Joe Delmont

From Power Systems Research I’m Joe Delmont, an editor of PSR PowerTALK.

Today we’ll talk with Yosyf Sheremeta about his global economic outlook. Yosyf is Director of Product Management and Customer Experience for Power Systems Research.

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Global: Recovery Is Strong, but Uneven

GLOBAL REPORT
Yosyf Sheremeta
Yosyf Sheremeta

SUMMARY.  The global economy performed very well in 2021 and continues to recover, along with trade, employment and incomes. But the revival is unbalanced, with regions/countries, businesses and people facing very different economic realities. Recent improvements also conceal structural changes, which means that some sectors, jobs, and technologies will not return to their pre-pandemic trends. Based on the most recent economic developments and trends, Power Systems Research remains somewhat optimistic about the global recovery.

Many of us hoped to be in the post-Covid phase by now, but it is evident that there is no quick way out.  The pandemic has had a profound impact on the world economy, and it will continue to challenge established norms of life and business into the foreseeable future.  As we start the new year, many challenges remain, new and old alike: re-surgency of COVID variants, restrictions on travel, supply chain challenges, shortages of materials/goods, inflation, and employment, as well as renewed geopolitical tensions across many parts of the globe.

Power Systems Research witnessed a strong economic recovery globally in 2021, despite regional differences.  Output in most OECD countries has now either surpassed or is about to reach pre-pandemic levels, but lower-income economies, particularly those where vaccination rates are low, are at risk of being left behind.  Furthermore, the rebound will continue to vary widely among different market segments.  

Global inflation re-surfaced in 2021 and presents a real risk to economic recovery in all regions. The renewed inflationary pressure risks lasting longer than was expected a few months ago.  The surge in retail and wholesale energy costs in late 2021 will undermine economic growth prospects for large parts of Europe and Northeast Asia well into 2022.  Rising food and energy prices already have impact on low-income households in particular. 

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Global Economic Fundamentals Strong, But Uncertainties Linger

This report is excerpted from the Q3 2019 Update Bulletin prepared for clients of Power Systems Research, Oct. 1, 2019.

SUMMARY. If you were to look at the latest global macro-economic fundamentals, you would see a strong and healthy economy and a rosy picture.  On the other hand, if you follow the latest updates on key industries and their players worldwide, optimism is not that strong. 

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