With two months of growth in the rearview, North American business conditions decreased in May, according to senior industry executives responding to NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Confidence Survey. The Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions. Slipped to 38.6 in May down from 62 in April, its highest level in a year. The present deterioration in conditions could be only temporary. The EBCI for future North American conditions rebounded to 54.5 from 50 a month ago, indicating that survey panelists expect business conditions six months to improve from their current level.

The Electroindustry Business Confidence Index gauges the business confidence of the electroindustry in Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America, and is based on the results of a monthly survey of senior managers at NEMA member companies. Those companies represent more than 80 percent of the electroindustry.

NEMA is the trade association of choice for the electrical manufacturing industry. Founded in 1926 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., its approximately 450 member companies manufacture products used in the generation, transmission and distribution, control, and end-use of electricity. These products are used in utility, medical imaging, industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential applications. Domestic production of electrical products sold worldwide exceeds $120 billion. In addition to its headquarters in Rosslyn, Virginia, NEMA also has offices in Beijing, Sao Paulo, and Mexico City.

For the complete May 2007 report, click here.