It’s been another year of uncertainty for the fluid power and motion control technology sector. Tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and supply chains are among the many factors which have posed challenges.
But 2026 hasn’t been all bad news as those I’ve been speaking to for our annual State of the Industry coverage have noted. Data centers have been a hot topic, aiding those who supply the construction of them as well as the facilities themselves.
And as all three of our State of the Industry interviewees in today’s newsletter note, demand for automation solutions in a range of industries is offering opportunities for many.
“What I find encouraging is that the underlying demand for automation remains strong. Customers still need to produce more, improve productivity, address labor challenges and become more flexible. If anything, those pressures are increasing. That creates a lot of opportunity for our industry, even if where that growth shows up looks different around the world,” said Chelsea Krause, Vice President, Fluid & Motion Control, Emerson.
In addition to my interview with Chelsea, in today’s newsletter you can also find my recent interviews with Anant Bhat, Director of Business Development – Bearings & Industrial Solutions Americas at Schaeffler, and Brian Dengel, General Manager, KHK USA Inc.
In general, they seem optimistic there will continue to be opportunities for their respective sectors as we head into 2027 and beyond.
How has 2026 been for you? What opportunities have you seen this year, and what are your expectations for 2027?
Feel free to take our quick poll here or reach out to me directly at [email protected] to offer your thoughts.
Sara Jensen, Editor, Power & Motion
