Strengthening North American industry collaboration.

The successful integration of member services and activities from the Canadian Process Control Association (CPCA-ACCP) with the The Measurement, Control & Automation Association (MCAA) has been announced.

This milestone strengthens MCAA's position as a leading North American association representing the measurement, control, and automation industry and reflects a shared commitment to advancing member success through greater collaboration, expanded resources, and stronger industry engagement across Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

As manufacturers, channel partners, and service providers navigate increasingly complex market dynamics, access to timely business intelligence, professional development, and strategic industry connections has never been more important. The integration creates new opportunities for companies across North America to engage, collaborate, and grow within a broader industry community.

All MCAA members have access to an extensive portfolio of resources and benefits, including:

• Expanded North American networking and business development opportunities
• Industry-leading market intelligence, benchmarking, and economic reporting
• Enhanced education, training, and professional development programs
• Greater access to industry advocacy, thought leadership, and best practices
• Increased organizational resources to support long-term member value and sustainability

"As our industry continues to evolve, collaboration across borders is essential to long-term success," said Teresa Sebring, President of MCAA. "We are proud to welcome our new Canadian members and look forward to working together to strengthen our industry and create new opportunities for manufacturers and channel partners throughout North America."

MCAA also extends its appreciation to CPCA's members, volunteers, and industry partners whose leadership and dedication helped build a strong and respected voice for the Canadian process control industry.

This integration reinforces MCAA's commitment to expanding its presence and engagement throughout Canada while providing an inclusive platform for companies across North America seeking deeper industry connections, actionable market insights, and opportunities to accelerate business growth.

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@THEMCAAorg #CPCA #PAuto #Canada

Process instrumentation market to grow in North America.

The Process Instrumentation and Automation market in the United States, valued at $13.9 Billion (€12.32b), is projected to grow 4.4 percent by 2023 to a total of $17.3 Billion (€15.34).

The Measurement, Control & Automation Association (MCAA) has published its Annual Market Forecast. The report, prepared by the analysts at Global Automation Research, focuses on the Process Instrumentation and Automation (PI&A) markets in both the United States and Canada. Twelve industry segments and 12 product categories are examined in-depth, with a forecast timeline extending to the year 2023.

Three industries accounted for over 50 percent of the 2018 total process automation market: Chemicals, oil refining and electric utilities. These three industries, plus food & beverage, and pharmaceuticals will be the fastest growing segments over the 5-year forecast period.

Paul Rasmusson, President, Global Automation Research LLC, said, “There are strong growth drivers in each of these industries including the build-out in ethylene plants, capacity expansions in oil refineries, new natural gas-fired generators, and the growing drive for automation to improve productivity, enhance quality and safety, and extent plant life in the pharmaceutical and food & beverage sectors.”

The report shows that O&G process automation spending recovered strongly in 2018, with most of the growth in the midstream segment. And, the U.S. steel industry spending is growing, as the companies expand capacity to meet tariff-related domestic demand.

Rasmusson cautioned, “A slowing global economy, could reduce demand for plastics, creating an excess in ethylene production and oil refining capacity causing delayed or cancelled projects. A U.S. recession would reduce demand for process industry products across the board, undermining the forecast growth in process automation spending.”

Process control systems and process control valves continue to dominate the market value, accounting for 60 percent of the total for 2018. The fastest growing product categories are electronic flow, electronic level, and Remote I/O. The report shows that the displacement of some older technologies (e.g., mechanical flowmeters, mechanical level meters, and data acquisition instruments) continue as electronic flow and level meters and expanded DCS, PLC, and SCADA capabilities are adopted by the process industry.

The Market Forecast also includes information for the Canadian Process Automation Market which is valued at $1.3 billion and forecast to grow to $1.5 billion by 2023, a five-year CAGR of 3.4 percent. Five industries—F&B, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, oil refining and electric utilities will grow above average. Two major industry sectors are struggling. The O&G sector growth is limited due to the takeaway shortfall in Alberta causing lower prices. Growth is further limited as Alberta implements curtailment rules that limit the number of new wells, in the hopes of better prices on low volume. The Canadian metals industry spending dropped after the Trump tariff, however, the most recent indications that the tariffs will be dropped could restore some spending in this sector.

@THEMCAAorg  #PAuto #GlobalAutomationResearch 

Control & Automation Hall of Fame induction.

Earlier this month (May 2019) during the Measurement, Control and Automation Association’s Industry Forum in Tucson, (AZ US), the distinguished achievement award of membership of the MCA Hall of Fame was presented to Ken Hoffer, Chief Executive Officer of Hoffer Flow Controls, Inc.

Ken Hoffer, is the 8th inductee into
the MCCA Hall of Fame. He joins
Gordon Arnold (Sierra Monitor),
Wade Mattar (Schneider Electric),
Richard Morley (Father of the PLC, RIP),
Robert Deane (Fluid Components Int)
Malcolm McQueen (Fluid Components Int),
Judy Stevenson (Magnetrol Int, RIP),
Dr. Peter G. Martin (Schneider Electric).

Founded in 1969, Mr. Hoffer’s  flow meter company, Hoffer Flow Controls, is an innovative leader in solving critical and demanding flow applications. In the early years, Hoffer Flow Controls specialized in cryogenic flow measurement systems and pioneered the use of the turbine flowmeter in cryogenics. Today the company manufactures high precision turbine flowmeters, not only for the cryogenic industry but is a world leader in turbine flowmeter technology for the measurement of clean liquids and gases throughout the processing industries.

Mr. Hoffer’s technical achievements include the pioneered use of self-lubricated ball bearings in turbine flowmeters. He developed the first HART-enabled device to receive official certification by the HART Foundation and also created the first portable field calibration system for cryogenic flowmeters. Mr. Hoffer also developed the first and only turbine flowmeter to receive certification by the United States Navy for use in nuclear propulsion service as well as to pass shock and vibration certification for unrestricted naval shipboard applications.

Mr. Hoffer has received many honors and awards over the years including North Carolina’s Small Business Exporter of the Year, Schlumberger GOLD Level Supplier, and was awarded the Distinguished Supplier Award by the United States Navy for maintained ballast flow control/flow measurement onboard the USS Cole following its bombing in October, 2000 which was critical to the ship's survival.

@THEMCAAorg  #PAuto #HofferFlow

Hall of fame honour for Automation Pioneer.

The Measurement, Control & Automation Association will induct Peter G. Martin, PhD, Vice President of Strategic Ventures with Schneider Electric into the Measurement, Control and Automation Hall of Fame on Tuesday, April 24 2018 during the Association’s Industry Forum in Houston, (TX USA).

Dr Peter Martin

He will be the seventh member of the Hall of Fame, whose members include Gordon Arnold (Sierra Monitor), Wade Mattar (Schneider Electric), Robert Deane and Malcolm McQueen (both FCI), Richard Morley (deceased, Father of the PLC), and Judy Stevenson (deceased, Magnetrol). Dr. Martin joined the Foxboro Company 30 years ago. He holds several patents and has authored numerous published articles and technical papers and written two books.

Also active with his industry trade association, after several years on the MCAA Board of Directors, Dr. Martin served as Chairman in 2017. He has also been very active in leading the Association’s efforts regarding Workforce Development.

He has been named a Hero of Manufacturing by Fortune Magazine, holds the Life Achievement Award from the Automation Founders Circle and has been named one of the 50 Most Influential Innovators of All Time by ISA.

He was one of the keynote speakers at the ISA’s first international symposium (Food & Pharma Symposium) -  outside of North America held in Cork in 2016 - where he spoke on "Innovation and a Future Perspective on Automation and Control.”

@MeasControl  #PAuto #FPID16 @irelandisa

Board to measurement association announced.

MCAA President Teresa Sebring has certified the election of officers and directors of the Measurement, Control & Automation Association for 2018.

Bharat Naik

Bharat Naik, President of Reotemp Instruments of San Diego, CA, was elected Chairman. He has spent more than twenty years in the chemical industry in a variety of technical, commercial and management roles. He holds a BS degree in chemical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, an MS in chemical engineering from the University of Massachusetts, and an MBA from the University of Michigan. He began his career in Detroit providing technical service for the coatings, adhesives, and automotive markets and in 2000, moved to San Diego to steer and grow Rhino Linings, a small private company. Naik served as Vice Chairman in 2017 and has been on the MCAA Board since 2014.

Mike Waters

James M. (Mike) Waters will serve as Vice Chairman. Waters joined SOR Controls Group Ltd as President & Chief Executive Officer in April 2012. Prior to joining SOR, Mike served in several senior leadership positions at CIRCOR International (NYSE: CIR) from 2006 to 2012, including Vice President & General Manager of Sagebrush Pipeline Equipment and Pipeline Engineering. Prior to CIRCOR, Mike was President of Flow-­‐Zone, LLC, a Texas-­‐based oilfield supply and automation company. Mike began his career with Emerson Electric Corp. (NYSE: EMR) as part of the Rosemount Measurement & Control organization. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Distribution from Texas A&M University, and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX. Waters was first elected to the MCAA Board in 2016.

Bill Edinger, General Manager for Process Instrumentation (PI) at Siemens Industry Inc., Process Industries & Drives Division was elected to the Board as a Director-­‐at-­‐Large with a term through 2020. Edinger holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from Penn State and began his career in the industry at Moore Products which was subsequently acquired by Siemens.

Also elected as a Director-­‐at-­‐Large was Ron Hegyesi, President of VEGA Americas. Hegyesi held positions at BASF and Dow Chemical Company before joining Ohmart/VEGA (now VEGA Americas). He holds degrees from Texas A&M University and Northwood University. He will serve as a member of the Board through 2020.

The remainder of the Board is comprised of Immediate Past Chairman, Peter Martin, Vice President, Strategic Ventures for Schneider Electric Systems USA, Inc., and At-­Large Members Mike DeLacluyse, President, Lesman Instrument Company; Mike Gallagher, President and CEO, Centro, Inc.; Gary Johnson, President, Azbil North America, Inc; Don Maness, Senior Director, North America Channels, Honeywell Process Solutions; Scott Saunders, President and CEO, Moore Industries International, Inc.; and Jim Winter, Director of Global Process Business, Rockwell Automation.

The terms of Immediate Past Chairman, Joe Incontri, Director of Marketing, Krohne Inc. and At­Large Director, Stan Ronna, President, Automation Products Group, Inc., concludes at the end of 2017 and they received the thanks of the Association for their service.

• As the voice of the measurement, control and automation industry, MCAA provides manufacturers and distributors of instrumentation and systems used by industry around the world with the best community and resources for business effectiveness and growth through unsurpassed market and business insights, unique networking opportunities, effective employee onboarding and development programs and unbiased, affordable market data.

@MeasControl  #PAuto 

PI and Automation in North America - report.

The 2016 Process Instrumentation and Automation market in the United States, valued at $11.7 Billion, is projected to grow 3.6 percent by 2021 to a total of $14 Billion. The Measurement, Control & Automation Association (MCAA) has published its Annual Market Forecast for 2017. The report, prepared by the analysts at Global Automation Research, focuses on the Process Instrumentation and Automation (PI&A) markets in both the United States and Canada. Twelve industry segments and product categories are examined in-depth, with a forecast timeline extending to the year 2021.

Growth will be concentrated in five industries: Chemicals, electric utilities, oil refining, food & beverage, and pharmaceuticals. The cumulative market gain will be $2,282 Million over the forecast period. The chemicals industry market gain will be the largest at about $850 Million. The next four fast growing industries will add over $1 Billion in market gain. The market gain of the remaining slow-growing industries will equal about $340 Million.

Oil & Gas spending is expected to be essentially flat in 2017, then increasing through the end of the forecast period. The 5- Year CAGR is forecast to be 1.4 percent

The 2016 Canadian PI&A Market value was $1,211 Million, versus $1,202 Million in 2015. Gains in non-oil & gas industries were negated by the continuing drop in oil & gas spending through 2016. The market is forecast to grow at 3.8% CAGR over the 5-year forecast period, reaching $1,458 Million in 2021. Six industries—chemicals, F&B, electric utilities, oil refining, W&WW and pharmaceuticals—as a group, will grow at a 4.8 percent 5-year CAGR. Economic forecasts suggest that the Canadian GDP will remain above 2 percent over the forecast period, creating a strong base for continued growth in PI&A spending.

MCAA provides industrial manufacturers and distributors a community and excellent resources for business effectiveness and growth through unsurpassed market and business insights, unique networking opportunities, effective employee onboarding and development programs and unbiased, affordable market data. This report is included in annual membership but can be purchased by non-members for a fee.

@MeasControl #PAuto #NorthAmerica

The inspiration of the parabolic curve!

Parabolic flow curves were the inspiration for the new logo for the Measurement, Control & Automation Association which was debuted at the MCAA Industry Forum last month in Atlanta. As well, a completely redesigned website, TheMCAA.org, was rolled out to the more than 240 attendees at the meeting.

Bharat Naik (President, Reotemp Instruments), Chairman of the Planning Committee for the meeting and Vice Chairman of MCAA, introduced the new branding and website to the attendees saying that the more modern look and ease of use of the website better reflect the dynamic Association.

Mr. Naik mentioned the four unique value propositions that have a prominent place on the home page of the TheMCAA.org website:

Networking: The ability to meet face-to-face with leaders in the same industry—beyond your own company—and sharing ideas and experiences is a key reason why companies send their senior executives to the Industry Forum every year. Seventy-five percent of MCAA’s member companies were represented in Atlanta and attendees came from six different countries (US, Canada, Australia, Finland, Germany and Mexico). There are additional opportunities to network through the Association as well, using the website to find people and create or solidify business relationships.

Data: According to Naik, MCAA offers its members the most affordable source of unbiased data. While the very low cost is important, possibly more essential is that the data is unbiased—reported anonymously in aggregate so that no one has a reason to skew the numbers. He noted that his company derives essential management value from analyzing the data against their own performance.

Insights: MCAA meetings and its website offer critical best practices, future trends and new technology ideas not just for members but also to our industry as a whole. The assemblage of speakers at the Forum covered a broad range of topics designed to drill down on subjects related to our Interconnected World.

Workforce Development: As baby boomers leave our workforce, the industry has a challenging and ongoing issue of backfilling these positions with educated and trained personnel. As Vice Chairman of MCAA, Mr. Naik confirmed that MCAA has a key role to play in this arena moving forward and is an important element of the organization as the voice of the industry, a likely new tagline for MCAA.

Members sign into a Member Portal to retrieve reports and information available based on their company’s participation. They can also see their company profile which is an excellent opportunity to promote the company and its products. More functionality is coming to personalize the Portal. Member representatives can reach the Member Portal through TheMCAA.org or directly at MyMCAA.org.

@MeasControl  #PAuto

True pioneering automation professionals honoured!

FCI Co-founders, Robert Deane and Malcolm McQueen along with the late Judy Stevenson of Magnetrol  were inducted into the Measurement, Control and Automation Hall of Fame during the MCAA Industry Forum last month in Atlanta.

Peter Martin, Chairman of MCAA and Vice President of Strategic Ventures at Schneider Electric introduced the honorees. Martin reminded the audience that 30-40 years ago our industry was focused on measurement and control instrumentation. Then the digital computer shifted the focus from measurement and control to the automation platform so that while there was still instrumentation, a lot of people were getting recognized for their work in automation based on the platform. However, he noted value doesn’t come from the platform: measurement and control instrumentation improve functionality in plants that drive profitability and, in fact, no one drives profitability more than our industry. Two years ago, the MCAA Board decided to recognize leaders in our industry that drive the value for our clients.

The Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose body of work has contributed to the instrumentation and control industry in a significant and memorable way either through technical achievements, business accomplishments or industry leadership. Robert Deane, Malcolm McQueen and Judy Stevenson (posthumous) now join Gordon Arnold of Sierra Monitor, Wade Mattar of Schneider Electric/Foxboro and Dick Morley, all inducted in 2016.

Bob Deane

Bob Deane

Raised in Massachusetts, Bob Deane graduated from the Allen School of Aeronautics in Rhode Island and moved to California in 1954. There he worked in the aerospace and defense industries. Together with Malcolm (Mac) McQueen he founded Fluid Components International in 1964. He is the holder of three patents including the original thermal flow switch patent which helped launch FCI as a business. He also holds patents covering improvements to the thermal switch and a liquid-to-gas phase change detector. In the 1970’s FCI developed an air-to-gas flowmeter based on thermal dispersion technology. The company started a nuclear division in 1978 to deliver level, flow and temperature measurement to the nuclear power industry. He retired from FCI in 1995 but continues to work closely with the FCI engineers on specialized projects such as flow instrument applications and proprietary sensor packaging designs.

Malcolm McQueen

Mac McQueen

Malcolm ‘Mac’ McQueen received his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His early career was spent as a design engineer in the aerospace industry. It was then that he met Bob Deane who was working as an instrument sales representative. McQueen holds over 19 US and international patents involving flow applications. FCI has received the Control Global magazine Reader’s Choice award for thermal flowmeters and flow switches for the past 25 consecutive years. Although he retired in 1995, he has served as FCI Chairman Emeritus since 2000. Always an active philanthropist, he supported the YMCA and Boys and Girls Club. He was named Man of the Year by the San Marcos, California Chamber of Commerce and created a park behind the FCI plant for community events. In 2014 he established the Malcolm Murdoch McQueen Scholarship Fund for students pursuing a career in instrument engineering.

Mac McQueen accepted the honor on behalf of himself and his partner, Bob Deane who was unable to travel to the meeting. In his acceptance he noted that it was the confluence of a solid technology and trusting partnership that has made FCI a successful organization for the past 53 years. He called thermal dispersion mass flow measurement “seductively simple yet beguilingly complex”. He was proud to note the children (including his son, Dan McQueen, current President of FCI) have successfully taken over ownership and management of the company for over 20 years, and that the third generation is beginning to show interest. According to McQueen, FCI will continue to be a family owned operation for the foreseeable future.

Judy Stevenson

The Late Judy Stevenson

Judy Stevenson was inducted into the Hall of Fame posthumously. A family rule of “you must play the piano” led to her enrollment in piano lessons at North Central College. Her musical career was brilliant and she devoted herself to the clarinet, cello, chorus, band and orchestra while attending Naperville Community High School and continuing to North Central College where she studied voice and piano. She sang for two years with the Robert Shaw Chorale and performed with the Chicago Lyric Opera. But this was not the life-direction Judy Stevenson took. In 1964 she joined Magnetrol (then Schaub Engineering Company) as a part-time bookkeeper. In her first year of employment, she rose to accounting supervisor, then to accounting manager a year later. In 1967 she was elected treasurer and administrative vice president. She became president of the company in 1975 and in 1978–14 years after beginning in a part-time clerical position–Judy bought the company. Under her leadership, Magnetrol prospered due to an aggressive commitment to research and development, new products, new technologies, training and progressive and creative thinking. Today Magnetrol is a multi-million dollar company with over 800 associates in offices and manufacturing facilities worldwide. The company also attributes its success to its people-oriented culture and strong emphasis on the family–a reflection on Judy’s own beliefs. Judy established and endowed 11 college scholarships, six of which are awarded annually to the children of Magnetrol associates. She supported numerous local community programs and charities. Judy died at the age of 72 in 2010.

Craig Carroll, Vice President Sales - Americas for Magnetrol International, accepted the award on Ms. Stevenson’s behalf. He indicated that Judy’s story and the story of Magnetrol is one of passion, drive, commitment and determination. Judy sought and assumed leadership for what she could do for others. A well known philanthropist, there are many stories of how she applied personal attention to the people within her organization. She created a culture within the Magnetrol family of companies of ‘People come first’. She truly believed that people were the greatest asset of her organization.

• MCAA provides industrial manufacturers and distributors the best community and resources for business effectiveness and growth through unsurpassed market and business insights, unique networking opportunities, effective employee onboarding and development program and unbiased, affordable market data.

@MeasControl #PAuto @FCIflow @MagnetrolGlobal

Election results announced!

MCAA President Teresa Sebring has certified the election of officers and directors of the Measurement, Control & Automation Association for 2017. The elections were completed by letter ballot of the membership in November.

Dr Peter Martin

Peter Martin, Vice President Strategic Ventures for Schneider Electric Systems USA, Inc. of Foxboro, MA USA will serve as Chairman. He has worked in industrial automation for more than three decades with experience in the industry segments of training, engineering, product planning, marketing and strategic planning. He holds BA and MS degrees in Mathematics and an MA in Administration and Management. He also holds a Master of Biblical Studies degree, and doctorates in Industrial Engineering and Biblical Studies. Dr. Martin is the author of numerous books and articles as well as being a Fellow of the International Society of Automation and a member of the Process Automation Hall of Fame. Dr Martin was a keynote speaker at the first ISA FPID Symposium held outside of North America last year in Cork (IRL).

Bharat Naik, President of Reotemp Instruments of San Diego, CA USA, was elected Vice-­Chairman. He has spent more than twenty years in the chemical industry in a variety of technical, commercial and management roles. He holds a BS degree in chemical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, an MS in chemical engineering from the University of Massachusetts, and an MBA from the University of Michigan. He began his career in Detroit providing technical service for the coatings, adhesives, and automotive markets and in 2000, moved to San Diego to steer and grow Rhino Linings, a small private company.

The remainder of the Board is comprised of Immediate Past Chairman, Joe Incontri, Director of Marketing for KROHNE, Inc., and At-Large Members
Mike DeLacluyse, President, Lesman Instrument Company;
Mike Gallagher, President and CEO, Centro, Inc.;
Gary Johnson, President, Azbil North America, Inc.;
Don Maness, Senior Director, North America Channels, Honeywell Process Solutions;
Stan Ronna, President, Automation Products Group, Inc.;
Scott Saunders, President and CEO, Moore Industries International, Inc.;
Mike Waters, President and CEO, SOR Controls Group Ltd.;
Jim Winter, Director of Global Process Business, Rockwell Automation.

MCAA provides resources to the world’s leading process control suppliers. Its core purpose is to bring process control providers together to develop the resources they need to prosper. The organization helps 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 and strategies where proprietary company information is secure.

@MeasControl  #PAuto

Steady growth forecast in PI&A market in North America.

MCAA has published its Annual Market Forecast, prepared by Global Automation Research. The report covers twelve industry segments and twelve product categories of the Process Instrumentation and Automation Industry (PI&A) for the United States and Canada. The forecast timeline covers 2014-2019.

The five-year forecast for the Process Instrumentation and Automation market in the US predicts a healthy Compound Annual Growth Rate of 4.3 percent. Despite the recent decline in oil & gas prices, the report predicts increased spending in the chemicals, food & beverage, and pharmaceutical industries along with increased demand for cement, metals, pulp and paper.

The PI&A market in Canada is predicted to closely track that of the US, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 4.2 percent. Downturns in Canadian oil & gas spending will be offset by growth in the electric utilities, mining, pharmaceutical, refining, chemicals, and food and beverage sectors.

For North America as a whole, electronic flow and electronic level will have above average growth over the forecast period. Microwave level leads the growth sector in level measurements, while guided wave microwave growth will be moderated due to the drop in oil & gas spending. The remainder of the product categories will have moderate growth over the forecast period, with the exception of declining shares in mechanical flow and level.

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.

Forum breaks records and reports strong growth in automation company bookings in 2014.

MCAA’s 2015 Industry Forum broke all previous attendance records. 240 attendees enjoyed two days of expert speakers, networking opportunities and roundtable discussions surrounded by the desert beauty of Scottsdale (AZ USA).

Attendance increased 14% over last year. Dane Maisel, General Manager of ABB’s Instrumentation Division, delivered the keynote address on the topic of trends and challenges in industrial automation.

Doug Hall energized a capacity crowd with his discussion of how to inspire innovation in everyone. Breakout sessions focused on digital age issues of social media, website traffic, and 21st century negotiating tactics.

Oil & Gas Journal Chief Editor Bob Tippee provided an honest and insightful assessment concerning this often-volatile segment of the commodities market. Entrepreneur Dave Berkus looked at the upcoming technological trends on the horizon. ITR Economist Jeff Dietrich also looked into the future with his economic analysis and forecasting across several industry sectors.

Attendees viewed the premiere of a MCAA-produced video featuring Schneider Electric Vice President, Peter Martin. The video encourages young people to help solve substantial problems facing the entire planet by pursuing a rewarding career in process controls. The video can be seen on both YouTube and Vimeo via MCAA’s “MeasControl” channel.

2014 Bookings Data
The organisation also reported on 2014 bookings in the process measurement and automation industry. These grew approximately 14.2% according to data reported by MCAA members in various bookings reports.

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 end user industry. Bookings are also collected on a monthly basis from the distribution companies that are Channel Partner members of the Association.

Looking at data from companies that participated in the bookings reports consistently over the past 10 years, bookings continue on an upward trend following the “Great Recession” bottom in 2009. Over the five years since, bookings are up a total of 110%. 2014, however, represents the third highest growth rate of the five previous periods at $3.9 Billion. Only data from companies that reported consistently over the 10-year period was used. Total actual bookings reported by all members participating in the bookings reports as of December 2014 was $5.5 billion.

• 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.

Customer satisfaction measured!

A critical element of the mission of the Measurement, Control & Automation Association (MCAA) is to provide meaningful and useful benchmarks and business tools to its member companies. MCAA launched this program for measuring Customer Satisfaction in 2003 with a survey instrument developed by the Board of Directors and members working with experts in this area. The Customer Satisfaction Survey program helps companies obtain necessary customer feedback while at the same time allowing them to benchmark their own performance (in the eyes of customers) against their peers in the industry—other providers of process controls, measurement and analysis instrumentation, and plant automation systems and software.

MCAA Customer Satisfaction Index 

Nearly 18,000 customers (including buyers, users, resellers and channel partners) were surveyed in 2015. In all, 2,733 surveys were completed by customers or channel partners resulting in a 15.2% absolute overall response rate and an average response rate of 19.5%. Because the MCAA survey statistics include surveys fielded by 27 different companies in 74 individual survey instruments, the more appropriate response rate is the AVERAGE rate since all participants may have not vetted their lists to level of confidence that they were reaching out to individuals who had knowledge of their company and their products or services. Typical response rates for similar surveys fall in the 10-15% range. The highest response rates occur where manufacturers surveyed their channel partners with whom they have important business relationships and with whom they achieved up to a 50% response rate.

Measured by the two main metrics (overall satisfaction and loyalty), 2015 Customer Satisfaction results for manufacturers indicate overall customer satisfaction at its second highest level in 12 years and customer loyalty in third place in the time period. For manufacturers relative to their channel partners (where historical data is available for seven years), the 2015 satisfaction index is in a virtual tie for second with 2014. The loyalty index is not calculated for manufacturers-to-channel because of the nature of the business relationship. Finally, for channel firms surveying their customers (where there is a six-year history) the past three years have seen the highest marks. In 2015 this group has both a satisfaction index and a loyalty index that is above the 6-year average.
To view the results of the 2015 Customer Satisfaction Survey in its entirety, please go to the website and select “Customer Satisfaction Surveys” from the “Services” tab. 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.

Students! Consider the process control industry as a future career.

MCAA’s annual Industry Forum is scheduled for April 19-21, 2015 in Scottsdale (AZ USA). Over 200 attendees are expected experience an educational event featuring expert speakers, breakout sessions, roundtables, and peer networking opportunities.

As the trade association for providers of instrumentation used in industrial process control and factory automation, MCAA’s members are particularly affected by a “brain drain” as older, knowledgeable workers begin to retire. Therefore, Workforce Development is a critical issue that MCAA’s members are addressing in a variety of ways. Area college and university students have been invited to attend this meeting free of charge. Students will take part in topical discussions and meet with corporate leaders to discover more about the varied and exciting career opportunities within the automation industry. MCAA is planning an even bigger outreach to students at the 2016 Industry Forum in Nashville.

The theme of this year’s Forum is “Work”. The keynote address will be delivered by Brian Hayes, Global Business Development Manager for ABB, Inc. With over three decades in the instrumentation industry, he will discuss the changing nature of customer requirements and examine ideas for opening future markets.

Inventor, author, and entrepreneur Doug Hall, founder of the Eureka! Ranch, will inspire and educate participants with his original strategies for increasing innovation and creativity.

Respected economist Jeffrey Dietrich from ITR Economics will bring an intelligent and insightful perspective to his market forecast that goes beyond the “lead and bleed” headlines.

Technological trends and their impact on management is the focus of a presentation by venture investor and technology expert, Dave Berkus.

Breakout and roundtable sessions led by industry experts will focus on specific industry sectors and highlight issues critical to success in the 21st-century workplace. Attendees will have an opportunity to delve into the oil & gas markets, social media, negotiating techniques, digital communications, sales and marketing, manufacturing, and workforce development.

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—with opportunities for industry peers to learn and network at events such as the Industry Forum.

Another voice to advance automation!

The Measurement, Control & Automation Association (MCAA) has signed a Memorandum of Membership with the Automation Federation (AF). As the newest member, MCAA has agreed to collaborate with the other member organisations to advance the automation profession.

The Automation Federation is an association of member organizations providing awareness, programs and services that continually advance all facets of the automation profession. The Automation Federation serves as the “Voice of Automation” by providing advocacy and industry-wide strategic analysis and coordination through its member organizations. The Automation Federation is bringing like-minded organizations, like MCAA, together to create a stronger "Voice" that will further spread the messages about the importance of the automation profession and the need to develop the next generation of automation professionals.

Cynthia Esher, President MCAA

MCAA is a trade association whose purpose is bringing process control providers together to develop the resources they need to prosper. The organization helps the management teams of process control product and solution providers run and grow successful businesses by offering timely, unique and highly specialized resources acquired from shared management benchmarks and strategies where proprietary company information is secure. Because of the interest of its membership in workforce development, MCAA recognized the valuable work of the Automation Federation and has joined the Automation Federation as its fourteenth member organization.

MCAA President, Cynthia Esher, said today, “One of our primary concerns is Workforce Development. Our Association has taken interest in the work of the Automation Federation to promote the next generation of automation professionals. MCAA will join with the other organizations in the Automation Federation to create more visibility for our industry with our future workforce. We’re interested in this effort from all levels: high schools, trade schools, technical schools and engineering schools. We recognize the strength of the alliance we are making through membership in the Automation Federation and believe that together we can make a difference in this vital area.”

“The Automation Federation welcomes MCAA as our newest member organization. I know MCAA’s support and participation will strengthen our workforce development efforts significantly. I look forward to working together for the advancement of the automation profession,” said 2012 Automation Federation Chair, Leo Staples.