Market Growth Will Resume Once Economic Turmoil Settles
This study provides an in-depth analysis of the worldwide Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) business and its segments. In addition to market analysis and forecasts, the study also covers strategic issues that influence the market.
2008 was not a bad year for automation. The PLC market grew at a moderate rate in spite of the economic trouble that started in the US at the end of 2007. While a severe contraction period is expected in 2009, automation demand is expected to start turning around beginning in 2010 as the manufacturers face increasing global market pressures.
Governments of many countries around the world are injecting money though various stimulus packages to prop up their economy. These programs are expected to create new demands for automation equipment such as PLCs in many industries.
Manufacturing and infrastructure industries are keenly reviewing their strategies to employ more automation that reduces the basic cost of operations, which could help them survive better in future economic turmoil and become more ‘sustainable.
Strategic Issues
Automation is increasingly more vital as manufacturers continue to face challenges to compete in the global economy. While automation remains one of the best investments a manufacturer can make, the market dynamics for suppliers also remains extremely competitive. This leads to issues for PLC suppliers to address, such as how to plan now for the world beyond the current ‘gloom and doom’, how to create opportunities by learning from long term trends, which industries to target, and what is the regional scenario. To this end the report suggests various strategies for PLC suppliers to increase their value propositions to the market.