These have big impacts through and on automation systems. The mix of customers talents is changing. Contractors also are downsizing. As a result, customers are looking to us to fill the gap. The traditional automation platform market is in decline.
Market forces dictate less overall capital investment.
Mergers and acquisitions have wide influences. In other examples, competition of utility deregulation has drastically decreased construction of large power generating units. Additions to big petrochemical plants will be incremental adding a line, rather than large green-field construction. At the same time, automation has been hit by the heavier electronics bang for the buck. Price per function is coming down.