AC Drives in the European Material Handling Industry -- Multiple Benefits Strengthen Market Position, Finds Frost & Sullivan

AC Drives in the European Material Handling Industry -- Multiple Benefits Strengthen Market Position, Finds Frost & Sullivan PR Newswire LONDON, Aug. 1, 2012 - AC and servo drives gain prominence over DC drives in the European material handling industry LONDON, Aug. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The European material handling industry is demanding advanced alternating current (AC) drives with better product quality, ease of operation, enhanced efficiency, improved communication technology and process control. Most direct current (DC) drive applications are being replaced by AC and servo drives which offer advantages such as better and easier motion control, higher energy efficiency and improved performance. New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.motors.frost.com), Strategic Analysis of the Electric Drives Market in the European Material Handling Industry, finds that the market earned revenues of €190.2 million in 2010 and estimates this to reach €283.5 million in 2017. The research covers AC, DC and servo drives. With advancements in AC drives technology and its availability at lower cost for similar power rating applications, AC drives are gaining popularity and widely being accepted among end users. "Increased awareness among end users and OEMs in the material handling industry about the energy saving potential of electric drives is improving their market penetration," notes Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Sivakumar Narayanaswamy.