Diving Equipment Manufacturing Purchase Index (MPI) Data Now Available

Working with DEMA’s Manufacturing Committee and several Member Manufacturers during the last two years, DEMA has developed a new manufacturing report that includes New Orders and Inventories in key diving equipment Categories. Data from the first Manufacturing Purchase Index (MPI) report, covering quarter 1 (Q1) of 2023 and comparing it to Q1 2022 and Q4 2022 is now available for download or purchase.

“This data is helpful to the entire diving industry, and those participating in this inaugural report period should be congratulated,” said Tom Ingram, DEMA President and CEO.  “The data is critical to manufacturers who have been without any valid order or inventory data since 2019 and is helpful to every sector of the diving industry, including training organizations, retailers, travel providers and consultants.” Ingram went on to say that “all members of the diving industry benefit because data from the MPI can be utilized by DEMA to help change or prevent the passage of proposed legislation that is detrimental to the Industry.” 

DEMA’s MPI is unique in that it captures aggregate trend data for New Orders and for Inventory in stock on a quarterly basis.  Participating manufacturers report to an independent third-party administrator (TPA) to ensure their data remains confidential and secure. Reporting consists of companies comparing their data points in the current reporting period to those in the previous quarter, as well as to the same quarter during the previous year.  

• New Orders: Reflects the levels of new orders received from customers.
• Inventories: Reflects the changes in inventory levels in stock at the time of the report.

Data is aggregated for all participating companies by the TPA and made available for review. No individual company data is reported. The reported data combines domestic (US) with international information.

For both New Orders and Inventory, the trend data in the available MPI report is read as a percentage from 0 to 100: 

• An MPI reading equaling 50 percent indicates no change. 
• An MPI reading of less than 50 percent indicates a contraction.
• An MPI greater than 50 percent indicates an expansion of new orders or inventories, as compared with the previous quarter or previous year.

The further from 50 percent (in either direction) the greater the level of change (trend) has occurred during the reporting period. 

Aggregated data is available on both Equipment Type and Category. The Category definitions can be found within the report and include Soft Goods, Exposure Protection, Hard Goods and Accessories and Bags.  Each Category is further defined within the reports as Equipment Types, and include regulators, BCs, fins, masks, snorkels, wetsuits, drysuits, and more.

Reporting companies receive the aggregated data from the TPA that includes all the detailed Equipment Types in the Categories in which they report. These companies also earn seniority space selection points connected to DEMA Show, enabling them to select exhibit space at the Show before other, non-participating companies.  All DEMA Member Manufacturers selling equipment included in the study are eligible to participate.

DEMA Members can download the broad Category reports at no cost, and non-members can pay a non-member rate for this data.  DEMA Members also have access to more detailed Equipment Type data at member rates, while others can purchase this data at non-member rates. Both the Category and Equipment Type reports are available in the DEMA Store.

DEMA is excited to again make valid manufacturing data available for the Industry! For more information, see the MPI reports for Q1 2023.

Interested in participating? Apply to be part of the MPI here.