Machine vision sales grew 34 per cent in North America in the first quarter of 2011, the fifth straight quarter of double-digit growth according to the Quarterly Machine Vision Sales Tracking Report of the Automated Imaging Association (AIA).
In addition, the European Machine Vision Association (EMVA) has also published its latest market study, which predicts 20 per cent growth in 2011 in the European market.
Data from 225 companies in the European machine vision industry have been evaluated for the 2011 edition of the EMVA report. Turnover of the European machine vision sector grew by 35 per cent in 2010, according to the study.
The AIA report recorded robust sales across almost all major machine vision supplier markets, including cameras, lighting, optics, software, application-specific machine vision systems, and smart cameras.
The AIA report also found a continuation of widespread optimism in the industry. Approximately one-half of all companies submitting data for the report expect sales to improve over first quarter 2011 levels during the next six months. Of the remaining companies, most anticipate sales comparable to first quarter results. Only eight per cent of the companies expect sales to decrease.
'The continuation of double-digit growth shows the strength of the machine vision market in North America,' said Jeff Burnstein, president of AIA. Paul Kellett, AIA's director of market analysis, added: 'Large businesses continue to invest in equipment that boosts productivity, including machine vision systems. Expansion in the manufacturing sector is expected to continue despite some momentary softening and spur additional investment in machine vision software and equipment.'
AIA's report is available free of charge to all AIA members participating in AIA's sales data programme.
The seventh edition of the European Vision Technology Markets Statistics 2011 study can be purchased from the EMVA. In addition to the European statistics, the study contains four country-specific reports covering machine vision in Germany, Italy, the UK and France.
