ARC Advisory Group has released its Distributed Control Systems Worldwide Outlook report for 2013 in which ABB has retained its leading position in the worldwide DCS (distributed control system) market. According to the study, the global DCS market grew about 4% in 2013.
According to the study, ABB was the regional market share leader for Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and the worldwide leader in key global verticals including oil and gas, pulp and paper, and mining and metals.
The report also notes that the DCS business has continued to be primarily a service business over the past few years, with combined project, engineering and operational services accounting for more than half of total revenues. The main automation contractor (MAC) approach in which the automation vendor manages the overall project and includes a strong project execution and services component, continues to grow stronger and expand.
“For years ABB has cultivated its capability to serve major projects as the main automation contractor,” said ARC Senior Analyst Harry Forbes.
Tobias Becker, head of ABB’s Control Technologies business, added.“The electric power, motor and drive capabilities across ABB Group augment its process automation expertise, making the firm an attractive choice when capital projects require large or complex electric power systems, especially offshore and sub-sea systems. ABB is well prepared with a broad DCS portfolio including its flagship system 800xA Extended Automation platform, Symphony Plus control system, Freelance process control system for small-to-medium process applications, as well as its prior generation systems. All ABB control systems offer a secure evolution path forward to next generation technologies to protect and enhance the control system investment over its lifetime.”