The four elements within this metric compare the yearly sales performance for 2008, 2009 and the beginning of 2010 in a year-over-year format. Simply, we asked how business in one year compared to the previous year (ex. 2008 compared to 2007).

The first yearly comparison (2008 vs. 2007) was the most uniform and almost symmetric with the same amount of business reporting either stronger or weaker sales in 2008 than in 2007.  At the middle of the group, 20% of business reported having the same sales while the remaining 80% was split.

During 2009 sales were heavily impacted by the struggling economy with 72% of businesses having reduces sales; 44% were lower and 28% were much lower. Only 12% of specialty equipment businesses surveyed had a positive outcome for the year.

During the tail end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010 companies began to see a shift in market conditions and have reported a much more compliant business environment with 40% experiencing a growth in sales compared to the previous year; 38% higher and 2% much higher. The negative side of the chart has dropped to just 18% and 42% see sales remaining flat during this period.

Looking forwarding the majority of businesses expect a strong rebound from 2009 for the remainder of 2010. When asked how they think the year will end 55% believe it will result in a positive swing forward. 43% of businesses think the year will be as bad as 2009 and a small group (2%) anticipate an even worse year.