Shipments Down for 2002 Model Year

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Twelve-month industry shipments of key commercial lawn and garden products declined overall in the 2002 model year, according to estimates by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute.

Commercial walk-behind mowers showed a decrease of 9 percent and all riding units showed a slight decrease of 1 percent. The total shipments for key commercial turf care products are estimated at 214,864 units, a decrease of approximately 5 percent from 2001 model year estimates.

The decreases were due to major drought conditions throughout the country and an uncertain economic climate. Oil-related prices were on the rise during 2002, and the housing market was weak in the spring.

Annual commercial riding unit shipments increased one and a half times from 1994 until 2001. A lot of this growth represents new technology, primarily zero-turn radius riding units, which increased efficiency and productivity.

Much of the demand for these riding units has been filled over the past 3 or 4 years, and now product shipments are more closely linked to trends in the national economy.

The model year for these products was Sept. 1, 2001 through Aug. 31, 2002. These estimates represent shipments destined to U.S. markets only.