SATISH LELE, FROST & SULLIVAN, DIRECTOR – INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES

The global economy expanded at an average of 4.9 percent over the last fi ve years, the best high growth cycle seen in the last few decades. The automation industry saw sustained and sometimes spectacular growth in that period and 2007 was certainly another good year for business. The momentum for growth in automation will continue in 2008. Although there is an expected slowdown in the US, it should be fairly compensated by Asia and Europe.

With Frost & Sullivan continuing its focus on Asia, including detailed analysis of the Automation and Control Markets in India, China and Southeast Asia, one key technology trend to watch for would be the proliferation of wireless applications. Industrial wireless is being herald as the growth engine for the future. In November last year, Frost & Sullivan took the lead in organizing the first Asia Pacific Industrial Wireless Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.