The Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association (CEMA) reports that 2011 shipments in North America were up 28%. CEMA estimates that shipments totaled $8.502 billion for 2011, an increase of $1.86 billion from 2010 shipments of $6.642 billion.

CEMA estimates that new orders totaled $9.310 billion in 2011. New orders in 2011 were $2.28 billion more than 2010, representing an increase of 33.3%.

CEMA President, George Huber III, announced the results at the Association’s 79th annual meeting in Miami, Florida earlier this month.

CEMA tracks new orders and shipped sales volume in seven classes of unit handling equipment and five classes of bulk handling equipment.

The executives representing CEMA member companies who attended the annual meeting expressed continued optimism for 2012 and forecasted a 10% increase in shipments.

Founded in 1933, CEMA is the trade association of leading North American conveyor equipment manufacturers and engineering firms.