As we have turned the corner on another new year and have welcomed in 2011, we also continue to turn the corner on a recovering US economy. The recent good news about the positive Gross Domestic Product index as reported at the end of January for the fourth quarter of 2010 and the lofty figure of 60+ for the ISM Manufacturing Index reflect a strong and recovering manufacturing sector of the US economy.
This good news includes our fluid power industry that has shown strength for most of 2010 and has continued to grow in 2011. This recovery for our industry is most gratifying after such a difficult few years. Our hope is that this period of growth for fluid power will be sustained for long time.
With that being said, we have another really great event right around the corner and that is the 2011 IFPE/ConExpo Show being held at the Las Vegas Convention Center on March 22-26, 2011. IFPE is the leading event of its kind that is dedicated to the integration of fluid power with other technologies for power transmission and motion control.
With a sold-out show floor with hundreds of fluid power components and systems exhibits, and a very ambitious educational program including the National Conference on Fluid Power, the Innovations Theater, and college-level courses available to attendees, IFPE promises to be a great educational event. There is no better time for IFPE to happen than now because of the health of the industry across all end use markets, the level of innovation taking place by manufacturers and at the Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power, and the overall level of excitement by fluid power providers and users alike.
IFPE 2011 uses the slogan, Moving Innovation Forward, and the spirit captured in these words reflects the optimism for the near- and long-term future of the fluid power industry. This time is so encouraging for all companies and individuals working in the industry including manufacturers, distributors, integrators, users, maintenance and repair professionals and, yes, those of us who report on the industry. Having a forum where the enthusiasm of the time can be embodied by the exhibitors and attendees is very timely.
We hope to see you at the IFPE where Hydraulics & Pneumatics will have a very exciting new opportunity available to you.
