Most Handheld Products to Increase Shipments: OPEI

Despite uncertain economic conditions, most gasoline handheld products will experience positive shipments during model year 2007, The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute says.

OPEI says chainsaws are the only handhelds that won't experience positive shipments for model year 2007 (January – December 2007). Hand-held blower shipments are still expected to grow by 1.9 percent during model year 2007. The 1.1 percent slide in handheld blower shipments predicted for model year 2008 will be the first decline since 1997.

Backpack blower shipments during model year 2007 will increase 4.8 percent, and expand another 5.2 percent in model year 2008.

Trimmers are expected to experience a 4.3 percent growth in model year 2007 but growth for model year 2008 is expected to be flat.

he chainsaw shipments will continue to contract during model year 2007 but the contraction will not be as severe as model year 2006. The contraction is primarily in response to the significant increase in shipments of chainsaws as a result of the hurricane activity in 2005. A small recovery of 2.5 percent in chainsaw shipments is expected in 2008, but this gain will still leave annual chain saw totals below 3 million units.