An Overview Of The Results Of 2015 Bookings Data From MCAA

2015 bookings in the process measurement and automation industry declined approximately 4.4% according to data reported by members in various bookings reports. This report provides an overview of that data exclusively for members.

MCAA collects data from its member companies for a variety of reports. On a monthly basis, we collect Domestic and Direct Export bookings information for the US, Canada and Rest of World. Quarterly, the Association collects more detailed information by product category as well as by user industry. Bookings are also collected on a monthly basis from the distribution companies that are Channel Partner members of the Association. Data is reported in confidence and the Association takes great care to avoid individual data disclosures by using aggregated totals. If you are not currently participating, a review of this information may help you understand the potential benefit of these programs.

Looking at data from companies that participated in the bookings reports consistently over the past 10 years, we see that bookings in 2015 took their first downturn after having trended upwards for several years after the “Great Recession” of 2009. In the six years since, bookings are up a total of 46.4%, however 2015 represents a decrease of 2.3% over the 2014 consistent reporter total bookings. To make this comparison, we used only data from companies that reported consistently over the 10-year period. Total actual bookings reported by all members participating in the bookings reports as of December 2015 was $5.8B.

In addition to data that is published from the aggregation of member-contributed data, Global Automation Research prepares an annual forecast for MCAA looking out 5 years.

The graph above shows the historical size of the industry as reported by Global Automation Research (blue) and the forecast going to 2020 (green). In RED is the actual reporting from 2006 through 2015 of a group of companies that have consistently reported to MCAA in the Monthly Bookings Reports. In the MCAA Monthly Bookings Report all data is completely historical for 24 months but that would not be representative going back this many years. The actual dollar volume for any one year would be higher than the totals shown here. Because the reporting base changes every year, for this graph, MCAA included only those companies which have reported since 2006 to show the MCAA trend as it stacks up against the actual results for the entire industry.

It is the trend information that MCAA members rely upon when using the various data provided to them by their industry Association. Of course, there are variations when a major company has a major booking but the overall trend, year over year, matches up quite well with actual performance. That positions the Association to be able to offer forecast information to its members that is credible.

As mentioned, Global Automation Research provides an annual forecast for the Association members which looks at all of the US and Canada by both product categories and customer industries, provides some regional market potential information for both countries as well as a look at the key international trends that will affect the US marketplace. The 2016 Report is now available and free to all MCAA members, and for a fee to non-members.

ITR Economics also provides MCAA members with forecast information. In March and August, their Business Cycles Report looks at the key industries to which MCAA sells and predicts the 6 –18 month outlook. MCAA member-contributed data is tracked against the US Industrial Production statistics as a confirmation of the value of the monthly and quarterly data gathered by the Association. Members also received an Economic Forecast from ITR Senior Analyst Alex Chausovsky at its Industry Forum held in April and in a webinar held in November.

About MCAA
MCAA exists to help the management teams of process and factory automation product and solution providers run and grow successful businesses by offering timely, unique and highly specialized resources acquired from shared management benchmarks where proprietary company information is secure. This report is included in annual membership but can be purchased by non-members for a fee.