Statistics of the Motion Control Assn. (MCA) for second quarter 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 Assn. 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 4.0 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," notes Paul Kellett, MCA director,  market analysis. Dana Whalls, MCA vp 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 with both tables and color graphics. Growth rates and book-to-bill ratios are provided for each product category.

MCA also provides an economic indicator report, which enables report users to interpret quarterly statistics from the standpoint of macro-economic indicators by individual manufacturing industry, as identified by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Starting with its second quarter 2011 reports, MCA introduced a new, forward-looking sentiment report that identifies and summarizes industry predictions for growth in the next two quarters.

Reports are available free of charge to MCA members. Members providing data for the reports receive full versions of the summary and trend analysis reports, which are highly detailed examinations of order and shipment results and also the economic indicator and industry sentiment reports. Non-participating members receive abridged versions of the summary and trend analysis reports, which contain shipment results. Members find the reports valuable as gauges of overall market performance and as benchmarks for assessing relative company performance.

The Motion Control Assn. (MCA) is a global not-for-profit trade group dedicated to promoting the understanding and use of motion control technologies and developing business opportunities for mechanical and electronic (mechatronics) motion control companies. Our membership includes manufacturers of complete motion control systems, component manufacturers, system integrators, distributors, end users, consulting firms, academic institutions and research groups directly involved with mechanical and electronic (mechatronics) motion control around the world.

MCA is part of the Automation Technologies Council, an umbrella group with more than 30 years' experience serving  600+ global automation companies involved in robotics (Robotic Industries Assn.), machine vision (Automated Imaging Assn.), motion control and related technologies.

Source: The Motion Control Assn. (MCA)

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