CSIA forecasts manufacturing growth in 2012

Control system integrators are seeing companies invest in business system capability, according to the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA).

By CSIA February 20, 2012

An end-of-year 2011 boost in U.S. manufacturing along with a strong interest among companies to reinvest in production and expand into new markets is steering the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) toward a positive outlook for 2012.

“More plant managers, operations directors and other business leaders are turning to CSIA members for project assessment and implementation,” said Robert Lowe, CSIA executive director, an internationally focused professional association for control system integration companies. “Many customers of CSIA members are investing in automation to ensure their manufacturing systems are at peak capacity. They are looking to CSIA members for technology solutions to grow, or in some cases, just to run a more efficient operation.”

According to the Institute of Supply Management (ISM), U.S. manufacturing has been on the upswing each month for the past two-and-a-half years.  Production, employment and orders for new goods surpassed expectations in December 2011. Manufacturing in 2012 might gain a modest 3% this year and business expansion in emerging economies is also encouraging for CSIA members and partners.

Control system integrators offer many technology solutions helping businesses reduce cost, increase production, use less energy and minimize their environmental impact.

ISM offered support for a positive 2012 in manufacturing with these industry comments on various sectors:

  • "Year starting slow, but customers are positive about increased business in 2012." (Machinery)
  • "Once again, business continues to be strong." (Paper Products)
  • "Pricing remains in check with the demand we are seeing. Supplier deliveries are on time or early." (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)
  • "Business lost to offshore is coming back." (Computer & Electronic Products)
  • "Order intake is great — more than 20 percent above budget." (Primary Metals)

What industry is saying about manufacturing in 2012

New
Orders

%
Better

%
Same

%
Worse


Net


Index

Jan 2012

35

45

20

+15

57.6

Dec 2011

29

44

27

+2

54.8

Nov 2011

23

55

22

+1

55.0

Oct 2011

22

53

25

-3

53.4

Courtesy: Institute for Supply Management

 

 

 

 

 

Founded in 1994, the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) is a not-for-profit, global professional association for control system integration companies. Control system integrators use CSIA engineering, technical and business skills to help manufacturers and others automate their industrial equipment and systems. CSIA members provide a range of services in dozens of industries. The group, based in Madison, Wis., aims to advance control system integration for the success of members and their clients.  CSIA helps members improve their business skills, provides a forum to share industry expertise, and promotes the benefits of hiring a certified control system integrator.  CSIA has more than 300 members in 27 countries. For more information about CSIA, how to find a control system integrator, or for a current list of members, go to:

www.controlsys.org

See also the Control Engineering System Integration Channel at https://www.controleng.com/integration