Discrete Automation Market: Powering Precision in Manufacturing

The global discrete automation market was valued at USD 8.47 billion in 2024 and is forecasted to rise to USD 9.23 billion in 2025, reaching USD 16.70 billion by 2033, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5% during the 2025–2033 period. Discrete automation primarily used in the assembly of high‑quality engineered components plays a pivotal role in advancing industrial precision, efficiency, and operational control.

Request a free sample of the report here:
https://straitsresearch.com/report/discrete-automation-market/request-sample

Market Drivers and Challenges

Market Drivers

1. Industry 4.0 and IIoT Integration
The surge in smart manufacturing initiatives and IIoT adoption is fueling demand for discrete automation. Companies are investing in interconnected sensors and programmable logic controllers to enhance production visibility, achieve predictive maintenance, and improve output quality.

2. Demand for High‑Quality Manufacturing Outputs
For industries such as automotive, aerospace, and electronics, the precision and consistency enabled by discrete automation are critical. This demand drives further adoption of systems like PLCs, MES, DCS, and PLM.

3. Labor Shortages and Cost Pressures
Facing labor constraints and rising costs, manufacturers are turning to automation for cost-efficient, round‑the‑clock operations while reducing human error.

Market Challenges

1. High Initial Investment
Deploying discrete automation requires significant capital outlays for hardware, software, and employee training, which can deter small and medium-sized enterprises.

2. Cybersecurity and Skilled Labor Shortage
Connected systems heighten vulnerability to cyber threats. Additionally, the sector lacks a skilled workforce proficient in operating and maintaining advanced automation technologies.

Optional: Impact of War on the Market

While the primary focus remains industrial efficiency, global geopolitical tensions and trade restrictions can influence supply chains. For instance, tariffs or export controls on critical electronic components may affect production timelines and costs. This remains a topic to monitor, though concrete analysis lies beyond the Straits Research scope.

Buy the full Discrete Automation Market report here:
https://straitsresearch.com/buy-now/discrete-automation-market

Segment Analysis

Straits Research categorizes the market according to Type, Application, and Region:

By Type

• Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)

• Manufacturing Execution System (MES)

• Distributed Control System (DCS)

• Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)

By Application

• Automotive

• Packaging

• Textile

• Aerospace & Defense

By Region

• North America – currently the largest market

• Europe

• Asia-Pacific – fastest-growing region

• Middle East & Africa

• Latin America

Top Players Analysis

Straits Research highlights leading vendors in the discrete automation market:

• Siemens AG – global leader in PLC, MES, DCS and digital twin tech

• ABB Ltd. – strong robotics, motors, and industrial control portfolio

• Rockwell Automation – major automation software and integrated systems provider

• Schneider Electric – widely known for automation solutions and consulting

• Mitsubishi Electric – diverse automation products including PLCs and HMIs

• Honeywell International – systems for aerospace, defense, and process automation

• Yokogawa Electric, Omron, Emerson, Bosch Rexroth, General Electric, Fuji, and Delta Electronics are also significant contributors.

These players are investing heavily in R&D, acquisitions, and services to capitalize on the evolving automation landscape.

New to Straits Research? Access the dashboard and full content here:
https://access.straitsresearch.com/new-user/discrete-automation-market

Global Outlook

By 2033, discrete automation is expected to nearly double in market value, expanding from USD 9.23 billion to USD 16.70 billion.

• North America leads in adoption due to established infrastructure and high-tech manufacturing.

• Asia-Pacific, fueled by rapid industrial growth in China and India, demonstrates the fastest CAGR .

Conclusion

The discrete automation market stands at the forefront of the manufacturing transformation, delivering higher precision, agility, and cost-efficiency. While initial costs and cybersecurity risks pose challenges, the push toward Industry 4.0 and labor automation ensures sustained long-term growth. With a projected CAGR of 7.5% and a doubling market size by 2033, this sector presents a compelling opportunity for technology vendors, investors, and industrial adopters alike.

About Us

Straits Research is a market intelligence company providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision-makers. Straits Research Pvt. Ltd. provides actionable market research data, especially designed and presented for decision making and ROI.

Whether you are looking at business sectors in the next town or crosswise over continents, we understand the significance of being acquainted with the client’s purchase. We overcome our clients’ issues by recognizing and deciphering the target group and generating leads with utmost precision. We seek to collaborate with our clients to deliver a broad spectrum of results through a blend of market and business research approaches.

Contact Us

Phone: +1 646 905 0080 (U.S.), +44 203 695 0070 (U.K.)

Email: sales@straitsresearch.com