Sales of machine vision components and systems in North America rose substantially in third quarter 2010, according to the new sales tracking report of the Automated Imaging Association (AIA). Overall, year-over-year growth hit 68 per cent, up from second quarter 2010 at 60 per cent and first quarter 2010 at 34 per cent.
The report, entitled Quarterly Machine Vision Sales Tracking Report, showed that sales were robust in all major machine vision supplier markets, including cameras, lighting, optics, imaging boards, software, application-specific machine vision systems and smart cameras.
The report also disclosed that 68 per cent of companies submitting data for the report expect sales to improve in the next six reported months; that is, 4th quarter 2010 through 1st quarter 2011. Of the remaining companies, 28 per cent anticipate sales at or near the level reached in the third quarter, and just 4 per cent believe that sales will decrease.
'These results are very impressive, leaving little doubt that the recovery in the North American machine vision market is real and sustainable,' noted Paul Kellett, AIA's director of market analysis. 'Based on industry expectations, we expect the recovery to continue at least another six months.' he added.
Kellett will provide further details and analysis on 20 January 2011 at the AIA Business Conference in Orlando, Florida, which is open to all registered AIA members. The quarterly tracking report is distributed to all participating AIA members.
