Motion control market up 19% in 2011

A report by the Motion Control Association (MCA) indicates industry growth and recovery, but at a slower pace overall.

Share

New orders for motion control products are up 19% through the third quarter of 2011, according to new statistics released by the Motion Control Association (MCA).

In the third quarter, however, year-over-year growth was just 4.2%, compared with 24% year-over-year growth in the second quarter and 29% in the first quarter.

“The results of the third quarter strongly suggest that the motion control market recovery is continuing but at a slower pace,” said Paul Kellett, MCA Director – Market Analysis. Dana Whalls, MCA Vice President added that “despite concerns about the economy, industry experts have reported to us that they expect the motion control market to remain relatively flat for the final quarter of the year.” Whalls added that MCA will provide further updates on the motion control market at the upcoming MCA Business Conference in Orlando, Florida - January 18-20, 2012. A panel of industry leaders including Arun Jain, Siemens; John Payne, Yaskawa Electric America, Inc.; Ken Sweet, Parker Hannifin Corporation; and Andy Vogl, Kollmorgen - a Danaher Motion Company will participate in a session focused on the outlook for the coming year.

Additionally, the Conference (for MCA members only) will provide a look at the outlook for the global economy from Alan Beaulieu, Senior Analyst, Economist and Principal at the Institute for Trend Research.

MCA tracks results for motion controllers, PLCs, electronic drives, AC drives, motors, AC motors, actuators & mechanical systems, sensors and feedback devices, other ancillary components, and support services. The strongest growth sectors in 2011 include motion controllers, AC drives, AC motors, and other ancillary components.

MCA reports are based on confidential data provided by member companies. The data is aggregated and summarized in quarterly tracking reports and trend analysis reports. These reports examine orders and shipments by major product category quarterly and annually. Growth rates and book-to-bill ratios are provided for each product category. MCA also provides an economic indicator report, which enables report users to interpret quarterly statistics from the standpoint of macro-economic indicators by individual manufacturing industry, as identified by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Additionally, each quarterly report includes a forward-looking report that identifies and summarizes industry predictions for growth in the next two quarters.

Motion Control Association (MCA)

www.motioncontrolonline.org 

- Edited by Chris Vavra, Control Engineering, www.controleng.com 

controleng.com/motors