Industrial laser shipments dropped 10 percent for the first quarter of 1999, despite the increased popularity of CO₂ laser systems for cutting applications, according to statistics compiled by the Association for Manufacturing Technology.

Last year the association reported $152.6 million in first-quarter shipments. However, several key companies involved in last year's survey declined to participate in the survey this year.

Data from the companies that reported shipments for both years indicated a 10 percent drop from year-earlier totals.