Global shipments for motion control products fell by 6.8% in the first half of 2013, according to new statistics released by the Motion Control Association (MCA), the industry’s trade group.  

“Despite the slower first half of 2013, we see optimism from motion control companies about the rest of the year,” said Jeff Burnstein, president of MCA.  “Our second quarter survey of MCA member companies revealed that only two percent of respondents believe motion control shipments will contract further over the next two quarters.  Optimism is higher yet among MCA distributor members, of whom 80% believe motion control shipments will increase in the next six months.”

“While shipments declined in some of the largest product categories, such as motors, there are a few categories that are doing very well this year,” said Alex Shikany, MCA director of market analysis.  “For instance, shipments of Motion Controllers are up 15% and Support Services are up nearly six percent through June.”

MCA summarizes market results from suppliers and distributors in quarterly tracking reports and trend analysis reports.  These reports examine orders and shipments by major product category quarterly and annually with tables and color graphics.  Growth rates and book to bill ratios are provided for each product category.  MCA also provides an economic indicator report, which enables report users to interpret quarterly statistics from the standpoint of macro-economic indicators by individual manufacturing industry, as identified by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).

All reports are available free of charge to all MCA members.   Members providing data for the reports receive “full” versions of the reports, which are highly detailed examinations of order and shipment results.  Non-participating members receive “abridged” reports, which contain shipment results.  Members find the reports valuable as gauges of overall market performance and as benchmarks for assessing relative company performance.