Industrial automation finally ready to accelerate growth, IHS reports

Improving global economy will drive market to $185.3B in 2014

By Bob Vavra, Content Manager April 10, 2014

Viewed one way, industrial automation is the force that drives manufacturing worldwide. Viewed as if it were a country, it would be the 53rd largest economy in the world.

IHS Technology looks at it both ways, and both ways they look at it, the industrial automation market is going to show strong growth in 2014 and for the foreseeable future. The global research and analytics company presented its finding on the global industrial automation market at the 2014 Hannover Messe in Germany April 9.

Slowdowns in growth in Europe and Asia over the last two years have stymied expansion of the automation market, but Alex Chausovsky, manager and principal analyst for IHS’s industrial automation business, said there is a different atmosphere at Hannover Messe this year. There’s a bright light at this show," Chausovsky said. "There is an air of optimism."

Most of that optimism centers on the U.S., which is expected to see 6.9% growth in 2014 in industrial automation. "The U.S. is one of the dominant growth engines," Chausovsky said. "At almost 7% growth, that means it’s a really good place to do business."

The other major regions also expect to see steady growth in 2014 as manufacturers prepare to emerge from the recession and upgrade equipment now that manufacturing growth has normalized. The Europe, Middle East and Africa region is expected to grow 4.3%, according to IHS, while China’s growth is at 10.7% and Japan at 5.4%.

"Following two years of weak development in the (industrial automation) trade, 2014 will see stronger market conditions that will help generate business opportunities," said Jenalea Howell, associate director for rotating machines & controls at IHS. "In particular, the stabilizing economies of China and Europe will be beneficial to spurring growth this year in overall industrial automation, allowing the market to outstrip last year’s performance."

That growth will be split evenly between process industries, fueled by the growth of the North American oil and gas market, and discrete manufacturing growth. IHS research as the machine production market growing by 6.3%, while capital expenditures in the process industry are expected to climb by 5.4%.

Overall, the industrial automation market is a $185.3 billion enterprise, with 40.1% in motors and motor controls, 31.1% in automation equipment and 28.8% in power transmission equipment.

Snapshot of the Americas

The 2014 IHS Technology Industrial Automation Report released at Hannover Messe shows strong growth for this year from a strong base over the last three years. Among the report highlights:

Key customer demands:

  • High customer support and quick response time
  • Reliability, focus on faster throughput
  • Functionality and ease of use
  • Split focus on initial cost vs. long-term ROI