The majority of independent system integration companies questioned in a global survey believes the outlook for the automation industry will improve in 2013.

The first-ever survey of system integrators conducted jointly by J.P. Morgan and the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA, www.controlsys.org)  reached out to nearly 1,800 professionals worldwide in the automation and control industry. The results suggest that more manufacturers will look to industry experts like CSIA members for help in managing risk and automating their industrial equipment and systems. Among the markets driving the activity is the food and beverage industry, which is forecasted to grow this year.