Cutting applications spurred an increase in shipments of industrial laser systems and equipment for North America and the US. Overall, shipments increased 16 percent in 1997 over 1996, according to a report from The Association for Manufacturing Technology in McLean, Va. Forty-three companies reported sales of $431.7 million for North America, while exports accounted for $153.7 million. Cutting applications were the largest source of activity, constituting more than 50 percent of all shipments. Nearly 60 percent of all industrial lasers shipped were CO2 lasers, and more than 75 percent were configured as a laser system.