Motion Control Association Announces Release of Third Quarter Industry Statistics

(Ann Arbor, Michigan – January 8, 2008) – Reported sales of motors, electronic drives, actuators and other motion control components continued to grow in 2007, up by nearly 10% from second quarter 2007, according to results of a recent report on the motion control industry, a global market that generates over a billion dollars per year. Total market orders grew by 13.6% compared to first quarter 2007, with shipments increasing by 12.6%. The report, produced by the Motion Control Association (MCA), includes sales volume, sales growth, geographic sales distribution and sales by product category figures for the global motion control market.

The MCA report breaks the market down into 10 categories including: motion controllers; PLCs; electronic drives (amplifiers); AC drives; motors; AC motors; actuators & mechanical systems; sensors & feedback devices; other ancillary components; and support & services. Motors, comprised of DC brushed motors, AC and DC brushless motors, servomotors with gearing mounted, direct drive, linear motors and steppers, accounted for the largest percentage of sales at 34.6%, followed by electronic drives (DC drives, AC & DC brushless drives, multi-axis drives, and stepper drives) at 25.4% and actuators and mechanical systems (mechanical drivers, gearboxes, belt-drivers, rod and rodless actuators, ballscrews, acme and roller screw actuators) at 17.5%.

Orders for motors grew by 3.8% in third quarter compared to the previous quarter. Orders for actuators and electronic drives were up 51.3% and 9% respectively, over second quarter. Support services, which are comprised of asset management services, network services, repair and training, grew by 4.3% from the previous quarter. “We’re pleased to report no signs of an industry slow-down thus far” said Paul Kellett, MCA’s Director of Market Analysis. “Through third quarter 2007, sales performance has been fairly solid.” The MCA began collecting industry data for the global motion control market for year end 2006 and is now collecting and reporting on a quarterly basis. All global mechatronic companies are encouraged to participate by providing data.

Participants who are also MCA members receive the full summary report quarterly at no charge; all MCA members receive an abridged version of the data. As an independent trade group representing the motion control industry, the MCA is able to collect company data with the strictest confidentiality.

About The Motion Control Association

The Motion Control Association (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. Membership currently includes 56 leading 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 over thirty years experience serving over 500 global automation companies involved in robotics (Robotic Industries Association, www.roboticsonline.com), machine vision (Automated Imaging Association, www.machinevisiononline.org), motion control (www.motioncontrolonline.org) and related technologies.