Critical industries drive intelligent MCC market

18th November 2014

Nat Bowers

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The increasing level of industrial automation is fuelling the global demand for (MCC) Motor Control Centres. A MCC is an assembly of motor starters or overload protection devices such as contractors and/or overload relays that are connected by a common power bus bar so as to control several motors. Intelligent MCCs (iMCCs) – with remote diagnostic capabilities as well as features such as loss detection and predictive maintenance – are gaining traction especially in the oil and gas, mining, water and wastewater, and chemicals industries due to its ability to minimise maintenance costs, reduce equipment downtime, and ensure operator safety.

Analysis from Frost & Sullivan, 'Analysis of the Global Motor Control Centres Market', finds that the market earned revenues of $4.06bn in 2013 and estimates this to reach $5.12bn in 2018. The study covers low- and medium-voltage MCC.

While iMCCs are boosting overall market revenues, regular MCCs are witnessing a decline in revenue share due to the standardisation of safety features and performance. This has lessened differences between competitors’ products and resulted in price-based competition. In addition, the preference of end users in Russia, India, China and Southeast Asia for switchgears to control motors and for overload protection in the medium-voltage segment is dampening MCC market growth.

"As the percentage of customers that purchase higher-priced iMCCs is expected to rise in the long term, the fall in MCC revenues will not be a concern much longer,” said Frost & Sullivan Industrial Automation & Process Control Senior Research Analyst Krishna Raman. “With iMCCs set to play an important role in the future of the market, manufacturers have to focus on rolling out these products. Manufacturers must develop iMCCs that can be easily integrated with other communication networks to allow customers to move to an integrated enterprise ecosystem.”

In order to succeed globally, MCC manufacturers should also be able to meet multiple standards such as International Electrotechnical Commission and National Electrical Manufacturers Association. For tier-one companies that have already forayed into new regions, the maintenance of a robust product line and an extensive sales network will be key focus areas.

“Ultimately, high-quality, reliable offerings will help establish a strong brand name globally,” noted Raman. “To achieve this, MCC manufacturers need to possess sound technical skills and a thorough understanding of end-user requirements.”