The 2009 downturn will wipe just over $700 million off the small motor market, which peaked in 2008 at an estimated $3,018 million according to IMS Research. The market is expected to take until 2012 to return to these levels, whilst the market for some motor technologies, such as brushed DC motors, may never recover to previous peaks.

The market contraction will be most severe in sectors relying on capital expenditure, such as industrial automation applications. This sector is expected to lose its mantle of largest market, by sales, to the medical applications sector.

Motor manufacturers looking for growth should consider focusing on the brushless DC motor market. This market is expected to recover at the fastest rate, due in part for the trend for machine builders to produce machinery with higher levels of energy efficiency. Rules governing energy efficiency of machinery, such as HVAC and vending machinery, are being introduced and updated by bodies such as the United States Department of Energy and the E.U. Parliament. These will have a direct bearing on the future development of the small motor market and will undoubtedly benefit the market for brushless DC motors.

IMS Research
www.imsresearch.com