Electronics integration spawns additional revenue streams

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Global Pneumatic Market Factbook, finds that the market earned revenues of $10.51bn in 2014 and estimates this to reach $13.09bn in 2019. Emerging regions, especially Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will evolve into key markets for pneumatic products.

Kiravani Emani, Research Analyst, Manufacturing 4.0, Frost & Sullivan, commented: “The need for solutions equipped with advanced sensor technologies that help monitor equipment performance will fuel advancements in pneumatic products. Focus on miniaturisation will also boost operational excellence and broaden the scope of applications for pneumatic systems.”

The automotive, food processing and packaging industries will account for a bulk of the market's share, primarily due to the stringent emission and safety regulations governing these sectors. The electronic and semiconductor industry too will contribute significantly to market revenues owing to the increasing automation of manufacturing facilities.

However, regional manufacturers may be unable to fully capitalise on these prospects as low-cost manufacturers continue to make the most of the price sensitivity of customers. Chinese imports, in particular, present a big threat. Furthermore, the shortage of qualified and skilled personnel to develop novel solutions and selling techniques will stall innovation.

“Established vendors are investing in intelligent products that facilitate application connectivity in order to overcome the challenges posed by cheap imports and, in the long term, to profit from the anticipated surge in demand post 2020. They are also offering value-added benefits to enhance customer services and widen their footprint in the global pneumatic market,” added Emani.