Shipments of industrial laser equipment rose 15% over last year's levels to $123 million for the first quarter of 1997, according to a report issued by the Laser Systems Product Group. Industrial laser equipment and systems shipments within North America by the 39 industry companies surveyed totaled $102 million, while exports amounted to $21 million. Cutting applications were the largest source of business activity in the quarter, accounting for more than 50% of all shipments. Marking applications ran second, totaling 18% of all shipments. Less than two-thirds of all industrial lasers shipped were CO2, and more than three-quarters included both a laser source and workstation.