Pro AV continues to grow even as the global economy flounders. Tim Kridel investigates what’s driving that growth, which sectors and countries are particularly hot and whether US integrators will expand into EMEA.
Despite the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, 2012 is shaping up to be another solid year for professional AV in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. InfoComm predicts that those markets will have collective sales north of €34.5bn, up from €24.2bn in 2009.
The bad news is relative. Take Europe, where economic wild cards, such as Greece’s potential exit from the Eurozone, will temper growth over the next three years. But at least it’s growth rather than a retreat. "The future looks bright for pro AV globally, with industry growth for 2012 to 2015 projected to be better than growth for 2009 to 2012," says Duffy Wilbert, InfoComm senior vice president of member services. "However, unlike the rest of the world, Europe is not expected to achieve double-digit growth over the next three years. While the European market is expected to grow by 9.4 percent per annum over the next three years, it will still be the lowest projected rate anywhere." Many AV vendors, integrators and consultants are cautiously optimistic. One reason is ironic: The recession has dragged on so long that there’s burgeoning pentup demand for new systems.
In his article for October’s edition of Tim Kridel canvasses opinion from across the AV market, asking integrators, consultants, vendors and InfoComm executives for their impressions of the outlook.
Read the full piece in our latest edition of
InAVate’s Active Magazine.