Results from a new service published by IMS Research indicate a strong first quarter performance for the industrial automation electronics equipment market in 2010, after a revenue decline of more than 14% in 2009. The second half of 2009 showed substantial quarter on quarter growth for automation specialists, thus beginning a gradual recovery for the market.
In spite of general negative sentiment among many vendors in this space, IMS Research predicts strong growth for most automation equipment in 2010 and 2011. First quarter 2010 growth will likely have been 25% over that of first quarter 2009, during which all regional markets experienced the highest declines. Robust order books developed through both restocking efforts and new orders are expected to lead to a similarly strong second quarter in 2010. Based on a healthy anticipated first half of 2010, even a flat second half will result in close to double-digit revenue growth for most product areas.
