North American Machine Vision Sales Up 3% in 2Q
ANN ARBOR -- Total machine vision sales in North America rose 3 percent compared to the second quarter of 2011, according to new statistics from Ann Arbor-based AIA, the industry's trade group.
According to AIA, total machine vision sales include sales of machine vision systems and components. Sales of machine vision systems, the largest category, rose 2 percent year-over-year while sales of machine vision components saw an increase of 10 percent.
The increase in sales of machine vision components resulted primarily from sales of cameras, the largest machine vision components market in North America, which rose by 13 percent compared to second quarter 2011. Sales of other machine vision components also rose on a year-over-year basis: software (24 percent), imaging boards (10 percent), optics (2 percent) and lighting (1 percent).
"We welcome a return to growth," said AIA President Jeff Burnstein. "These encouraging results break the pattern of the previous three quarters, which recorded year-over-year declines."
Paul Kellett, AIA's Director of Market Analysis, added "While second quarter results are up from the first quarter of this year, industry experts do not expect an ongoing improvement. Fifty-three percent of the experts surveyed expect flat sales, while 37 percent believe sales will decrease in the next two quarters. Only 10 percent expect an overall improvement in machine vision sales."
In addition to its sales tracking report, AIA recently prepared a comprehensive Machine Vision Camera Market Study available at a discounted rate to AIA members. AIA also prepares studies on special topics, such as its soon-to-be-released study on Additive Manufacturing and Automation, which it makes available to all AIA members free of charge on its Web site, www.VisionOnline.com.
Founded in 1984 to advance the understanding and use of imaging and vision technologies, AIA now represents more than 320 vision suppliers, system integrators, users, researchers, and consulting firms from 32 countries. In addition to The Vision Show, AIA is known for vision and imaging standards such as GigE Vision, Camera Link, Camera Link HS and USB3 Vision; the Automate Show (being held next on Jan. 21-24 in Chicago); the annual AIA Business Conference (being held next Feb. 20-22); the annual AIA Networking Reception at Vision in Stuttgart, Germany (coming up Nov. 7); the Certified Vision Professional program; AIA Certified System Integrator company program; and Vision Online (www.visiononline.org), the world's leading online resource for vision information.
