91.   The second half saw a marked, and expected, decline in demand as customers reduced inventories.

92.   The sharp production cuts in the first quarter of this year allowed automakers to reduce inventories much more swiftly than in previous economic slowdowns.

93.   The supplier of cable television products said it will merge its distribution divisions to eliminate several facilities and reduce inventories.

94.   Though retail sales were mixed, manufacturers were more upbeat and inventories have been reduced to desired levels.

95.   To reduce inventories, businesses have been laying off workers and reducing shifts to cut down on production.

96.   To reduce inventories, manufacturers have cut back on production because of weak domestic demand, a rise in inventories and the strong yen, which gouges overseas earnings.

97.   Toyota Motor Corp., Nissan Motor Co. and other assemblers slashed output to reduce their inventories.

98.   Watanabe, speaking at a press conference, also said some Japanese automakers were significantly reducing inventories.

99.   Usinor said its customers reduced inventories further in the first few months of this year.

100.   When the American and European economies softened, those customers quit buying to reduce inventories.