The European machine safety market generated revenues worth $422m in 2010 and will reach $565.6m by 2017, according to a new report from Frost & Sullivan. It attributes the growth to regulatory pressures and to the improved productivity and profitability that safer working environments can deliver.

F&S research analyst Katarzyna Owczarczyk says there is a growing awareness of the benefits of machine safety systems. “There is a huge latent demand in the retrofit market,” she adds, with opportunities to upgrade machines fitted with obsolete safety systems.

“With safety networks and safety PLCs in place,” Oczarczyk continues, “a group of machines can be controlled from a single master panel to enhance visibility and keep tabs on efficiency levels.”

The shift from traditional, component-based safety installations to integrated systems has improved diagnostics and made maintenance easier, F&S reports. It also “promotes a sense of mutual comfort between the customer and the vendor,” Owczarczyk suggests. “The loyalty factor increases along with revenues since there are repeated purchases, repair, and retrofit costs from the same vendor.”