End users are looking for increased flow rates and manufacturers of pneumatic valves and actuators are answering their call.
Manufacturers are endlessly looking for ways to achieve increased flow rates all while customers are seeking to cosine small size and less weight with greater reliability with the rise of miniaturization.
"Over the next few years, certain end-user industries such as food processing, biomedical sciences, analytical instrumentation, and packaging are expected to show a good amount of interest in pneumatic valves and actuators," remarks Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Sashankh Kale.
North American Pneumatic Valves and Actuators Market earned revenue of $1,461.3 million in 2006 and is expected to reach $1,844.7 million by 2013, according to new analysis from Frost and Sullivan.
As the average prices for pneumatic components in North America decline it can be attributed to many factors including increased material costs, growing competition and higher degree of standardization in products.
"North American manufacturers now have to compete with companies that have the advantage of lower labor costs, which greatly affect the final price of products," says Kale. "The strength of the U.S. dollar also contributes to difficulties in exporting products manufactured in the United States to other markets."
Production costs are the biggest concern facing manufacturers, therefore different companies are approaching the issue in different ways, global outsourcing, looking for better volume –to-cost benefits and ultimately relocation to production facilities to Asia Pacific or Eastern Europe. The later is an expensive option, but could prove to be more feasible then investing in technological upgrades and automated systems.
This intensive focus on reducing production and operational costs will ultimately benefit end users, as it will help them realize better efficiencies. Also, with growing miniaturization, manufacturers can develop smaller products with higher efficiency.
SOURCE Frost & Sullivan
For more information: http://www.powertransmission.frost.com/
Nicole Camiola
New Equipment Digest
Online Content Editor