Discrete Automation

Global Discrete Automation Market to Reach US$9.0 Billion by 2030

The global market for Discrete Automation estimated at US$6.5 Billion in the year 2024, is expected to reach US$9.0 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.8% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Distributed Control System, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is expected to record a 4.3% CAGR and reach US$3.6 Billion by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the Manufacturing Execution System segment is estimated at 7.0% CAGR over the analysis period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at US$1.8 Billion While China is Forecast to Grow at 8.8% CAGR

The Discrete Automation market in the U.S. is estimated at US$1.8 Billion in the year 2024. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$1.8 Billion by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 8.8% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at a CAGR of 2.9% and 5.6% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 3.7% CAGR.

Global Discrete Automation Market – Key Trends & Drivers Summarized

Why Is Discrete Automation Becoming a Cornerstone of Smart Manufacturing?

Discrete automation has become a vital enabler of smart manufacturing, offering precise control and efficiency in the assembly and production of individual, distinct units such as cars, electronics, medical devices, and consumer goods. Unlike process automation, which deals with continuous flow processes like oil refining or chemical production, discrete automation focuses on production environments where components are assembled or manufactured in separate, countable units. The integration of robotics, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), human-machine interfaces (HMIs), and industrial PCs has allowed manufacturers to streamline operations, reduce errors, and scale up output with unmatched consistency. The shift toward Industry 4.0 and digital transformation across the manufacturing sector has further accelerated the adoption of discrete automation systems, as they support flexible production lines, predictive maintenance, real-time monitoring, and seamless human-machine collaboration. Automation in discrete manufacturing not only boosts throughput but also enhances product quality, reduces operational costs, and ensures compliance with increasingly stringent quality standards. Sectors such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, and medical devices have become heavily reliant on these systems to meet demand for customization, miniaturization, and precision. As product lifecycles shorten and competition intensifies, discrete automation is proving essential in helping manufacturers respond rapidly to market changes without compromising on efficiency or quality.

How Are Emerging Technologies Advancing the Capabilities of Discrete Automation Systems?

Technological innovation is redefining the landscape of discrete automation, making systems smarter, more adaptable, and more interconnected than ever before. The rise of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) has enabled machines, sensors, and controllers to communicate and exchange data in real-time, providing unprecedented visibility into production processes. This connectivity empowers predictive maintenance strategies, where data analytics can foresee equipment failures before they occur, thereby minimizing downtime and maximizing asset utilization. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are also being embedded into automation platforms, allowing for dynamic decision-making and process optimization based on historical and real-time data. Collaborative robots (cobots) are increasingly being deployed alongside human workers to handle tasks that require precision, safety, and repetition—making automation more accessible to small and medium enterprises. Augmented reality (AR) and digital twin technologies are revolutionizing how operators and engineers interact with equipment, offering immersive maintenance training and real-time virtual simulations of manufacturing environments. In terms of hardware, modular and scalable control systems are giving manufacturers the flexibility to adapt production lines quickly to new products or volumes. Enhanced cybersecurity protocols are also being integrated to protect interconnected systems from digital threats. Collectively, these technologies are pushing discrete automation from a static, rigid setup toward a fluid, intelligent ecosystem that can evolve continuously in response to operational and market demands.

Why Does the Demand for Discrete Automation Differ Across Global Markets and Industries?

The adoption of discrete automation varies significantly across global regions and industries due to differences in technological readiness, labor costs, manufacturing maturity, and regulatory landscapes. In North America and Western Europe, the presence of a highly skilled workforce, coupled with strong infrastructure and an emphasis on advanced manufacturing, has led to widespread deployment of sophisticated automation systems. Automotive and aerospace sectors in these regions are heavily automated, driven by the need for precision, traceability, and mass customization. In contrast, Asia-Pacific is emerging as the fastest-growing market for discrete automation, fueled by the expansion of electronics manufacturing hubs in China, South Korea, Taiwan, and India. Here, increasing labor costs and a focus on improving product quality are compelling manufacturers to invest in automation technologies. Government initiatives such as China’s “Made in China 2025” and India’s “Make in India” further incentivize automation investments. In Latin America and parts of the Middle East and Africa, adoption is slower but growing, with industries such as consumer goods and food packaging starting to automate to remain competitive. Additionally, different industries have varying levels of automation needs—automotive and electronics require highly sophisticated systems, while sectors like textiles or furniture manufacturing may only adopt partial automation. These geographical and sector-specific factors shape the demand landscape, prompting vendors to customize their offerings and support models to suit local conditions and industry requirements.

What Are the Core Drivers Fueling the Global Expansion of Discrete Automation?

SCOPE OF STUDY:

The report analyzes the Discrete Automation market in terms of units by the following Segments, and Geographic Regions/Countries:

Segments:
Type (Distributed Control System, Manufacturing Execution System, Product Lifecycle Management, Programmable Logic Controllers); Application (Automotive, Packaging, Food Processing, Textile, Other Applications)

Geographic Regions/Countries:
World; United States; Canada; Japan; China; Europe (France; Germany; Italy; United Kingdom; Spain; Russia; and Rest of Europe); Asia-Pacific (Australia; India; South Korea; and Rest of Asia-Pacific); Latin America (Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; and Rest of Latin America); Middle East (Iran; Israel; Saudi Arabia; United Arab Emirates; and Rest of Middle East); and Africa.

Select Competitors (Total 32 Featured) -

• ABB Ltd.
• ANDRITZ GROUP
• Azbil Corporation
• Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG
• Bosch Rexroth AG
• Emerson Electric Co.
• Fanuc Corporation
• Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
• General Electric Company
• Hitachi, Ltd.
• Honeywell International Inc.
• Ingeteam
• Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
• Omron Corporation
• Rockwell Automation, Inc.
• Schneider Electric SE
• Siemens AG
• Toshiba Corporation
• Valmet Oyj
• Yokogawa Electric Corporation

TARIFF IMPACT FACTOR

Our new release incorporates impact of tariffs on geographical markets as we predict a shift in competitiveness of companies based on HQ country, manufacturing base, exports and imports (finished goods and OEM). This intricate and multifaceted market reality will impact competitors by artificially increasing the COGS, reducing profitability, reconfiguring supply chains, amongst other micro and macro market dynamics.

We are diligently following expert opinions of leading Chief Economists (14,949), Think Tanks (62), Trade & Industry bodies (171) worldwide, as they assess impact and address new market realities for their ecosystems. Experts and economists from every major country are tracked for their opinions on tariffs and how they will impact their countries.

We expect this chaos to play out over the next 2-3 months and a new world order is established with more clarity. We are tracking these developments on a real time basis.

As we release this report, U.S. Trade Representatives are pushing their counterparts in 183 countries for an early closure to bilateral tariff negotiations. Most of the major trading partners also have initiated trade agreements with other key trading nations, outside of those in the works with the United States. We are tracking such secondary fallouts as supply chains shift.

To our valued clients, we say, we have your back. We will present a simplified market reassessment by incorporating these changes!

APRIL 2025: NEGOTIATION PHASE

Our April release addresses the impact of tariffs on the overall global market and presents market adjustments by geography. Our trajectories are based on historic data and evolving market impacting factors.

JULY 2025 FINAL TARIFF RESET

Complimentary Update: Our clients will also receive a complimentary update in July after a final reset is announced between nations. The final updated version incorporates clearly defined Tariff Impact Analyses.

Reciprocal and Bilateral Trade & Tariff Impact Analyses:

USA
CHINA
MEXICO
CANADA
EU
JAPAN
INDIA
176 OTHER COUNTRIES.

Leading Economists - Our knowledge base tracks 14,949 economists including a select group of most influential Chief Economists of nations, think tanks, trade and industry bodies, big enterprises, and domain experts who are sharing views on the fallout of this unprecedented paradigm shift in the global econometric landscape. Most of our 16,491+ reports have incorporated this two-stage release schedule based on milestones.

Please note: Reports are sold as single-site single-user licenses. Electronic versions require 24-48 hours as each copy is customized to the client with digital controls and custom watermarks. The Publisher uses digital controls protecting against copying and printing is restricted to one full copy to be used at the same location.

The latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view the report. Upon ordering an electronic version, the Publisher will provide a link to download the purchased report.

Prior to fulfillment of an order, the client will be required to sign a document detailing the purchase terms for a publication from this publisher.