Motion control market finishes 2011 with record numbers

Orders for motion control products jumped 17.7 percent in 2011, according to new statistics released by the Motion Control Association (MCA), the industry’s global trade group. Gains also occurred in the fourth quarter, rising four percent over the same period in 2010.

“2011 results were the best we’ve seen since MCA began tracking industry statistics back in 2006 (beginning with 2005 data). We show double-digit growth across all product categories that MCA tracks, including motion controllers, electronic and AC drives, motors, actuators and mechanical systems, sensors and other ancillary components,” said Dana Whalls, vice-president of MCA.

“2011 is the second year in a row of double-digit growth and a stark contrast to 2009, when the motion control market contracted by nearly one-third because of the Great Recession,” said Paul Kellett, MCA’s director of market analysis. “The continuing recovery in the broader economy helped drive continued strength in the motion control market.”

The report is available free of charge to all MCA members. To learn more, visit www.MotionControlOnline.org.