The results of the recent J.P. Morgan/CSIA System Integrator survey show the automation industry is experiencing a “steady lift” entering the second quarter of 2014.

The survey gathers responses from global automation and controls professionals in the food and beverage, chemical, and oil and gas industries as well as involved members of the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA).

“The results from the latest J.P. Morgan/CSIA automation survey have respondents forecasting growth anywhere from 5 percent to 15 percent in the coming months,” says Bob Lowe, executive director of the association. “This suggests that more plant managers, directors of quality and other industry clients are turning to control system integrators to drive automation and more efficient operations.”

“Right now, inflation and interest rates are low, so [economist Alan] Beaulieu is encouraging control system integrators to invest in improving productivity and building company strategies,” continues Lowe. “The same message applies to industry clients, that are upgrading plants while costs are low in order to get a better return on investment.”