Sales of machine vision components and systems in North America climbed five percent in 2011 to nearly $1.9 billion, according to new figures released by AIA, the industry's global trade group.

Sales of machine vision components and systems in North America climbed five percent in 2011 to nearly $1.9 billion, according to new figures released by AIA, the industry's global trade group.

"We're encouraged by the growth of the market in 2011," said Jeff Burnstein, President of AIA. "As vision becomes more critical to a growing number of industries we expect to see continued growth in both manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors."

Paul Kellett, AIA's Director of Market Analysis, added "The growth in machine vision sales in 2011 was consistent with the historical trend line of this market. Year after year, sales continue to increase along this trend line because of machine vision's powerful value proposition of increased efficiency, enhanced product quality and greater cost containment."

Kellett noted that sales of machine vision components, including smart cameras, grew 13 percent. Application specific systems grew just two percent. He also pointed out that the first half of the year was much stronger than the second half, as overall economic growth began to slowdown.

About AIA
Founded in 1984 to advance the understanding and use of imaging and vision technologies and to drive global expansion and growth through education and promotion, AIA now represents over 325 vision suppliers, system integrators, users, researchers, and consulting firms from 32 countries. In addition to the vision and imaging standards such as the GigE Vision®, Camera Link®, Camera Link HS and USB3 Vision, AIA is best-known for The Vision Show (May 8-10, 2012); the Automate Show (January 21-24, 2013 in Chicago); the annual AIA Business Conference; and Vision Online, the world's leading online resource for vision information.

AIA's Quarterly Machine Vision Sales Tracking Report is available free of charge to AIA members participating in the AIA's sales data program. In addition to its sales tracking report, AIA prepares market opportunity studies, which it makes available to all AIA members free of charge on Vision Online.