The long lead times (of up to a year) for large motors will delay the downturn in this sector until 2010, a new report predicts. IMS Research says that 2009 sales will be at least 5% higher than in 2008, but that in 2010 sales will drop by more than 15%, and the number of motors shipped will fall by 13%.

Last year, the global market for large motors experienced double-digit growth, both in terms of revenue and motors sold, to reach a value of $3.5bn and a total of more than 28,000 motors shipped.

IMS expects a “gradual and prolonged” recovery in the market after 2010, with double-digit growth rates returning by 2012.

ABB and Siemens continue to dominate the global market for large motors, IMS reports. Other significant players include GE, Converteam, Teco and the Toshiba-Mitsubishi joint venture, TMEIC. Western Europe, the US and China together account for 62% of total market revenues.