German machine vision sales in 2012 nearly reached the 1.51 billion euro peak hit in 2011, but fell just shy at 1.49 billion euro. While the domestic market fell by 6% and the supplies to European countries by 12%, but total machine vision exports saw significant growth.
In 2012, exports to Asia grew year-over-year by 13%; the first time this number has exceeded the export volume to European countries, while exports to America grew by 12%. The total export ratio of the German machine vision industry increased to 55% from 52% in 2011, according to the German Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau (VDMA) press release.
While sales in the automotive industry shrank by almost 25% in 2012, it still accounts for a 21% share, making it the biggest sector within manufacturing. Pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and healthcare saw a 36% increase in investments in machine vision, while rubber and plastics saw a 70% increase. Total non-industrial applications went up by almost 9%, making it the first time it has exceeded the automotive industry.
The VDMA press release estimates that the German machine vision sector can grow by 5% in 2013.
View the VDMA press release.
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