IMS Research recently estimated that control and mechatronics products in the North American packaging machinery sector generated sales of almost $0.75 billion in 2002. Motion & motor control products accounted for the largest proportion of these sales, although both linear actuation equipment and control & visualization products contributed significant proportions.
The packaging machinery market is a highly robust market for automation equipment manufacturers. For example, while the value of many machinery sectors in the US contracted in excess of 10% during the period 2000 to 2002, the packaging machinery sector remained relatively stable and, as is often the case for this sector, has since out performed most other sectors in the current market recovery.
According to senior analyst Adrian Lloyd, "the packaging machinery sector's large dependence on the food & beverage industry makes it especially robust in downturns. For manufacturers of automation equipment this represents an ideal market to target during periods of difficulty, as it is typically less exposed to the levels of contraction other industries experience. In addition, it often leads the way in automation equipment growth, and recent improvements in demand provide strong evidence towards a general improvement in the state of the industrial automation sector as a whole."
