AHAM Issues Positive Outlook For 2000

By TWICE Staff

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Following a strong shipment performance in May, the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers has issued a positive forecast for 2000's manufacturer sales to dealers, along with an initial prediction for 2001.

AHAM expects total majap shipments for this year to be up a conservative 1.8 percent from 1999. The year-end 2000 forecast indicates the cooking category will finish with a 2.8 percent increase from 1999, followed by food preservation, home laundry and kitchen cleanup products at 2.7 percent, 1.8 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively. The home comfort category is the only one expecting a downturn, with a 1.5 percent drop from 1999.

Likewise, the 2001 prediction suggests continued growth, with only the home comfort category falling slightly.