VDC identifies level measurement leaders

Natick, Massachusetts –  Endress + Hauser is the world's largest supplier of process level measurement devices, according to a new market study by VDC Research Inc. The report gives E+H a 24% market share, followed by Emerson Process Management on 16.7%, VEGA Grieshaber 9.6%, Yokogawa Electric Co. 8.5%, Siemens Milltronics Process Instruments 6.4% and Magnetrol Process Instruments 4.6%.

Emerson and Siemens lead the way in shipments of the two largest product categories – hydrostatic devices and sonic/ultrasonic devices, add the report, titled '2008 Top Suppliers of Process Level Measurement Device Shipments'. Verticals exhibiting the strongest now- and near-term performance in this market are listed as chemical/speciality chemicals, petchem and pharma.

“While these six suppliers of process level measurement devices have the lion’s share of the market, it is
critical to remember that this market is highly fragmented, with dozens of other segment leaders operating
in very specific technical or installation environment niches,” indicated Chris Rezendez, executive vice
president of VDC.

The study, which forecasts the market through 2013, also found that the global market for process level measurement sensors will decline by nearly 15% in 2009 but will begin to grow in late 2010 or the first half of 2011.  Increased efficiency demands and regulatory compliance drivers are the top factors driving long term growth, it noted.

The greatest gains in shares are seen in Foundation Fieldbus as the standard is becoming more
widely accepted. Emerging wireless standards, concluded VDC, are expected to make inroads into the global market over the forecast period.