Motion control market recovery continues

Statistics from the Motion Control Association (MCA) for the second quarter of 2011 indicate a continuation of the recovery in the motion control market. Compared to first quarter 2011, the market was slightly down in second quarter 2011 and is largely consistent with measures of manufacturing sector performance for the period.

For the market as a whole, orders in second quarter 2011 were up 23.8 percent year-over-year for all product markets that the Motion Control Association monitors, including motion controllers, electronic and AC drives, motors, actuators and mechanical systems, sensors, other ancillary components, and support and services.

Compared to first quarter 2011, second quarter 2011 market results registered an improvement with shipments growing four percent. Growth was evident across most product categories.

“The results of the second quarter strongly suggest that the motion control market recovery has not lost its vigor. Despite a decline in real gross domestic product, indicators of manufacturing performance have remained strong through the second quarter and explain, in part, the performance of the market,” noted Paul Kellett, MCA director of market analysis.

Dana Whalls, MCA’s vice-president, added that “MCA’s new, forward-looking sentiment report shows that most motion control companies expect no real weakening in market performance for the next two quarters. They predict that orders and shipments will remain at current levels or increase. This is certainly encouraging.”

MCA summarizes market results in both its quarterly tracking reports and trend analysis reports. These reports examine orders and shipments by major product category quarterly and annually. For more information, visit www.motioncontrolonline.org.