Linear Motion Component Production

Manufacturers of linear motion components, such as ball screws and linear guides, have made significant investments in factory capacity in recent years. In the current global economic downturn will they now need to moth ball production lines or even close whole factories? IMS Analyst James Dawson thinks not. “We will undoubtedly see a slowing in demand for linear motion components as companies postpone and even cancel investment in machinery due to the down turn in the world economy and the difficulties in raising finance. However, the majority of manufacturers have been quite shrewd in where they have built additional factory capacity. We have seen companies open new factories in regions of the highest growth, such as Asia Pacific and China. Demand for ball screws and linear guides in these emerging markets will continue to remain robust even through the downturn.