North American Machine Vision Market In Midst of Record Year

Ann Arbor, Michigan – Total sales of machine vision components and systems increased 12% to $1.65 billion in the first nine months of 2014, according to new statistics issued by AIA, the industry’s trade group. This is the best nine month start by the North American machine vision market since AIA began tracking quarterly statistics in 2009.

Total machine vision sales include sales of machine vision components and systems. Total machine vision components are up 18% to $230 million through October, while total machine vision systems are up 12% to $1.42 billion.

The third quarter of 2014 was especially strong for machine vision systems, which posted growth of 19%. Machine vision components also increased in the third quarter by two percent over last year. Every component and system category increased in the third quarter of 2014 except for lighting and imaging boards. Smart cameras (44%), optics (16%), software (14%), and ASMV systems (14%) were the standout individual categories in terms of year over year growth for the third quarter of 2014.

“The sustained growth of the machine vision market in North America this year is very promising,” said AIA President Jeff Burnstein. “We continue to see interest for machine vision products growing outside the factory in industries like life sciences and security, which is great for the long term health of this market.”

“Despite the tempered expectations of AIA membership after the strong first half of the year, the market continued to grow in the third quarter,” added Alex Shikany, AIA’s Director of Market Analysis. “Our most recent survey shows that AIA members expect machine vision components to increase and systems to remain flat in the next six months.”

In addition to its quarterly sales tracking report, AIA offers its Global Machine Vision Camera Market Study, which is available at a discounted rate to AIA members. AIA also prepares studies on special topics and industries, which it makes available to all AIA members free of charge on its website, VisionOnline.org.

About AIA
Founded in 1984 to advance the understanding and use of imaging and vision technologies and to drive global expansion and growth through education and promotion, AIA now represents over 330 vision suppliers, system integrators, users, researchers, and consulting firms from 32 countries. AIA is best known for The Vision Show; vision and imaging standards such as GigE Vision®, Camera Link®, Camera Link HS™ and USB3 Vision™; the Automate Show (March 23-26, 2015 in Chicago); the annual AIA Business Conference (January 21-23, 2015 in Orlando); the Certified Vision Professional program; AIA Certified System Integrator program; and Vision Online (www.visiononline.org), the world’s leading online resource for vision information. AIA is part of the Association for Advancing Automation. For more information on AIA, visit Vision Online or contact AIA Headquarters at (734) 994-6088.

About Association for Advancing Automation (A3)
The Association for Advancing Automation is the global advocate for the benefits of automating. A3 promotes automation technologies and ideas that transform the way business is done. A3 is the umbrella group for Robotic Industries Association (RIA), AIA - Advancing Vision + Imaging, and Motion Control Association (MCA). RIA, AIA, and MCA combined represent 780 automation manufacturers, component suppliers, system integrators, end users, research groups and consulting firms from throughout the world that drive automation forward.

For more information, please visit our websites: A3; RIA; AIA; MCA.