IO module market improved global performance in 2013

The global I/O market improved overall in 2013 thanks to a strong performance in the Americas, according to a recent IHS report. The Americas was the strongest regional market for I/O modules in 2013 thanks to the relatively stable economic situation and strong growth in the process sectors.

By IHS Inc. January 8, 2015

The Americas was the strongest regional market for I/O modules in 2013 thanks to the relatively stable economic situation and strong growth in the process sectors. Courtesy: IHSThe IHS report The World Market for I/O Modules 2015 indicated that the global I/O market grew a little in 2013 compared to the decline in 2012. The Americas was the strongest regional market for I/O modules in 2013 thanks to the relatively stable economic situation and strong growth in the process sectors. The Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) I/O market grew in 2013 after a decrease in 2012, even though its programmable logic controller (PLC) market dropped during the year.

Growth in the process sectors was stable, and was especially strong in regions other than Western Europe. The appreciation of the euro against the U.S. dollar (USD) was also a factor contributing to the growth when presented in USD. The market in the Asia-Pacific region barely grew in 2013. Slight growth in distributed control system (DCS) I/Os failed to offset the fall in PLC I/Os.

Major economic powers like China and India were still striving for recovery with economic restructuring and weak demand in local and export markets. The Japanese market dropped again in 2013. The stagnant world economy—especially the underperformance in Asia—had a great effect on Japan, which depends heavily on exports. Moreover, a sharp depreciation of the Japanese yen also contributed to the drop in Japan’s market for I/O modules measured in USD.

The DCS market recovered in 2013 after a downturn in 2012, which helped drive the growth in the market for DCS I/Os. Growth in DCS I/Os was propelled by the installed market base rather than by new installations. Courtesy: IHSThe PLC market did not perform well in 2013, which affected PLC I/Os. Although the control system market did not grow much, demands from expansions and replacements were able to drive some expansion in the market for I/O modules. The DCS market recovered in 2013 after a downturn in 2012, which helped drive the growth in the market for DCS I/Os. Growth in DCS I/Os was propelled by the installed market base rather than by new installations. Strong growth in the oil & gas market and associated industries also contributed to the market growth.

However, the recent drop of oil prices, if sustained, is expected to harm investment in the oil sector. Given the faster growth in industrial PC (IPC) markets, the PC-based I/O market grew faster than other segments. It was forecast to grow faster as well. However, its share will remain much smaller than those of PLC and DCS I/Os.

This is a research note on behalf of Lenard Huang, analyst, industrial automation for IHS Inc. Please contact lenard.huang@ihs.com with any questions. IHS is a CFE Media content partner. Edited by Joy Chang, digital project manager, CFE Media, jchang@cfemedia.com