System integrators confident of 2013 outlook

According to a survey conducted jointly by J.P. Morgan and the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA), the majority of independent system integration companies questioned in a global survey believe the outlook for the automation industry will improve in 2013. The first-ever survey reached out to nearly 1,800 professionals worldwide in the automation and control industry.

According to the global, not-for-profit professional association, the results suggest that more manufacturers will look to experts for help in managing risk and automating their industrial equipment and systems. Among the industries driving the activity are automotive, oil and gas, food and beverage, chemicals and energy, the report says.

According to the survey, 69 percent of system integrators expect revenue growth this year and one-quarter of those look for gains of 15 percent or more. Similarly, 85 percent believe demand for integration services will increase or remain steady in the coming year. Additionally, more than 70 percent of those surveyed expect projects that had been delayed or cancelled will resume if there is no negative change in economic trends.

“A number of projects were put on hold during the global slowdown in industrial production,” says Bob Lowe, executive director of CSIA. “As a result, our integrator members are seeing pent-up demand that will release as projects come back on line.
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