Driven by an increased demand in cutting applications, industrial laser shipments rose to $152.6 million, a 6 percent increase over last year's levels, according to the Association for Manufacturing Technology. Cutting applications accounted for nearly 55 percent of all shipments, while CO₂ lasers remained the most popular, accounting for more than 60 percent of delivered lasers. More than 80 percent of total shipments were configured as a laser system.

Bob Zimmerman, chairman of the association's laser product group, attributed the increase to a resurgence in spending by the automotive and off-highway construction industries. Industrial laser equipment and systems shipments within North America accounted for $111.9 million and exports amounted to $40.7 million.