Machine vision sales have experienced five straight quarters of double-digit growth, with the first quarter of 2011 seeing a 34% rise in the market, according to the Quarterly Machine Vision Sales Tracking Report released by the Automated Imaging Association (AIA, www.machinevisiononline.org). The latest rise follows on from a strong 2010 performance; sales of machine vision components and systems grew 54% in North America last year, to almost $1.8 billion.
This latest report of quarterly growth indicated robust sales revenue across almost all major machine vision supplier markets, including cameras, lighting, optics, software, application-specific machine vision systems, and smart cameras.
The new report, available free of charge to AIA members participating in AIA's sales data program, 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 their sales to be comparable to first-quarter results. Only 8% of the companies expect sales to decrease during that period.
"The continuation of double-digit growth shows the strength of the machine vision market in North America," said Jeff Burnstein, president of AIA.
"Large businesses continue to invest in equipment that boosts productivity, including machine vision systems," added Paul Kellett, AIA's director of market analysis. "Expansion in the manufacturing sector is expected to continue despite some momentary softening and spur additional investment in machine vision software and equipment."
