Automatic Motor Starters Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Types (Star Delta Starter, Direct-On-Line Starter, Rotor Resistance Starter, Others), By Applications (Oil & Gas, Water & Wastewater, Industrial Manufacturing, Mining Industry, Others), and Regional Insights and Forecast to 2035

Automatic Motor Starters Market Size

The Global Automatic Motor Starters Market size was valued at USD 965.17 million in 2025 and is anticipated to reach USD 1,039.49 million in 2026, progressing steadily to USD 2,038 million by 2035. This robust growth trajectory reflects a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.7% during the forecast period from 2026 to 2035. The market’s expansion is primarily driven by the accelerating adoption of automation technologies, increased focus on energy efficiency, and the integration of smart control systems in industrial operations. Around 68% of industrial facilities are upgrading to automatic starters for improved motor protection, while nearly 54% of users are shifting toward digital and IoT-enabled starter systems. Furthermore, the demand for low-voltage starters has surged by approximately 43%, reflecting the global shift toward cost-efficient and reliable motor control mechanisms.

In the U.S. Automatic Motor Starters Market, demand continues to accelerate, accounting for nearly 28% of the global share. Industrial automation adoption has expanded by 46%, supported by strong growth in manufacturing, HVAC, and oil & gas sectors. Energy-efficient motor starters have seen a 37% rise in deployment, while the use of smart and connected systems has grown by 41%, reflecting the nation’s emphasis on digital transformation. Approximately 33% of new installations in industrial plants are now equipped with predictive maintenance features and real-time monitoring capabilities. Additionally, the manufacturing and commercial building sectors have registered a 35% increase in automatic motor starter adoption, driven by sustainability goals, regulatory standards, and technological advancements in motor control and protection.

Key Findings

• Market Size: The market is expected to rise from $965.17 Million in 2025 to $1,039.49 Million in 2026, reaching $2,038 Million by 2035, showing a CAGR of 7.7%.
• Growth Drivers: 68% rise in industrial automation, 54% adoption of energy-efficient starters, 47% growth in smart control systems, 39% rise in IoT-enabled solutions, 36% focus on sustainability.
• Trends: 43% dominance of low-voltage starters, 48% integration of digital connectivity, 55% demand in manufacturing, 38% uptake in water and mining sectors, 41% preference for intelligent control.
• Key Players: ABB, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Eaton, Rockwell Automation & more.
• Regional Insights: Asia-Pacific leads with 43% share due to industrial automation; Europe holds 29% with efficiency regulations; North America captures 26% driven by digital integration; Middle East & Africa account for 11% with rising infrastructure investments; Latin America holds the remaining share through industrial modernization.
• Challenges: 47% high installation cost, 35% skill gap in automation handling, 39% integration issues, 32% limited awareness among SMEs, 41% maintenance complexity.
• Industry Impact: 52% enhancement in energy efficiency, 46% reduction in downtime, 57% increase in operational reliability, 49% automation penetration, 44% adoption of predictive maintenance systems.
• Recent Developments: 60% launch of IoT-enabled starters, 42% product miniaturization, 35% increase in modular design, 40% partnerships for AI-based diagnostics, 45% focus on sustainability-driven manufacturing upgrades.

The Automatic Motor Starters Market is evolving rapidly as industries shift toward smarter, energy-efficient, and connected systems. Over 70% of manufacturing facilities now employ digital motor control technologies, while 58% of new installations emphasize reduced energy losses and enhanced operational safety. The growing integration of smart sensors, remote monitoring, and real-time fault detection capabilities is transforming how motors are managed in industrial ecosystems. Moreover, with nearly half of the sector transitioning toward IoT-based starter systems, the market is witnessing strong traction in predictive analytics and intelligent automation. The combination of industrial digitization, sustainability goals, and the drive for productivity enhancement is establishing automatic motor starters as a core component of next-generation industrial automation frameworks worldwide.

Automatic Motor Starters Market Trends

The automatic motor starters market is experiencing significant transformation due to the growing emphasis on energy efficiency, industrial automation, and digital control systems. The single-phase segment currently accounts for around 52% of total installations, showcasing a strong demand from small- and medium-scale industrial users as well as commercial facilities. Low-voltage motor starters dominate the market with approximately 71% share, driven by the extensive use of low-voltage systems across manufacturing, water treatment, and building automation industries. The increased adoption of compact, modular, and intelligent starter designs is also contributing to market expansion, as industries seek solutions that enhance performance and reduce downtime.

Geographically, the Asia Pacific region leads the global market with nearly 44% share, supported by rapid industrialization, urban development, and the expansion of manufacturing sectors in countries such as China, India, and Japan. Europe follows closely due to its strong focus on sustainable energy management and strict regulatory norms related to motor efficiency and operational safety. North America maintains steady demand, primarily from oil & gas, HVAC, and mining industries. The automation segment is gaining traction globally, with automatic starters projected to hold around 60% of the overall motor starter market share, driven by the growing implementation of Industry 4.0 and smart factory initiatives.

Technological advancements are reshaping the product landscape. Integration of IoT, AI-based diagnostics, and smart communication protocols such as Modbus and BACnet are enabling real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and fault detection. Approximately 48% of new automatic motor starters being introduced now feature digital connectivity and remote control capabilities. The market is also seeing a notable rise in demand for eco-friendly designs and energy-saving components that can cut power losses by up to 25%. These trends reflect the industry’s movement toward high-performance, intelligent, and sustainable motor control systems aligned with global energy efficiency standards.

Automatic Motor Starters Market Dynamics

OPPORTUNITY

Growing Automation Across Industries

The expanding adoption of automation technologies is creating new growth avenues for the automatic motor starters market. Over 65% of manufacturing facilities are now incorporating automated motor control systems to enhance process efficiency and reduce human error. Approximately 58% of industrial plants have already transitioned to smart control systems integrating IoT and PLC modules. The increasing usage of automated machinery in sectors such as automotive, mining, and packaging is fueling the demand for automatic motor starters with advanced protection and monitoring capabilities. Furthermore, energy-efficient product innovations are opening up nearly 40% additional opportunities in the global industrial segment.

DRIVERS

Rising Focus on Energy Efficiency and Equipment Protection

Energy efficiency is a leading driver of the automatic motor starters market. Around 72% of industries prioritize the installation of energy-efficient motor starters to reduce power consumption and extend motor life. Approximately 54% of end users prefer soft starters and automatic starters that minimize voltage fluctuations and protect equipment from overload. The growing emphasis on reducing maintenance downtime by up to 35% through automatic control systems is further stimulating demand. The market is also driven by government initiatives promoting energy-saving industrial operations, pushing manufacturers to develop smarter, more reliable, and safer starter systems.

Market Restraints

"High Installation and Integration Costs"

The relatively high initial cost of automatic motor starter systems remains a restraint to widespread adoption, particularly among small and medium enterprises. Nearly 47% of small-scale industries report budget constraints as the key barrier to implementing automated motor controls. The integration of smart starters with existing legacy systems can increase total setup costs by up to 30%. Additionally, 41% of industrial operators cite technical compatibility and limited workforce expertise as major issues during installation and maintenance. These cost-related challenges are slowing the pace of adoption in price-sensitive markets, despite growing awareness of long-term efficiency benefits.

Market Challenges

"Complex Design and Maintenance Requirements"

The automatic motor starters market faces challenges associated with the complexity of system design and maintenance requirements. Approximately 38% of industries identify troubleshooting and system calibration as significant operational difficulties. The inclusion of digital controllers, sensors, and communication interfaces increases the need for skilled technicians, with about 42% of companies citing a lack of trained personnel. Maintenance costs can rise by 25% compared to conventional starters, particularly when using advanced soft starter or variable control systems. Furthermore, harsh environmental conditions and voltage fluctuations contribute to frequent equipment failures, adding to the market’s technical challenges.

Segmentation Analysis

The automatic motor starters market is segmented based on type and application, showcasing a diverse range of usage across industrial and commercial domains. Growth in automation, energy efficiency, and process optimization are the main factors driving demand across all segments. By type, Star Delta Starter, Direct-On-Line Starter, Rotor Resistance Starter, and Other advanced starter systems collectively dominate the market landscape. Among these, Star Delta and Direct-On-Line starters hold a significant share due to their wide applicability and cost efficiency. In terms of application, the market demonstrates high penetration in industrial manufacturing, oil & gas, water & wastewater, and mining industries, driven by increasing motorization, smart factory adoption, and the need for reliable motor protection systems.

By Type

Star Delta Starter: Star Delta Starters are widely used for heavy-duty industrial equipment, offering smooth motor acceleration and reduced starting current. Their ability to minimize voltage fluctuations makes them ideal for compressors, pumps, and conveyor systems. This segment represents the largest share due to its efficiency and low maintenance requirements.

The Star Delta Starter segment holds an estimated market size of USD 367 million in 2025, accounting for around 38% of the global automatic motor starters market, with an anticipated CAGR of 7.2% through 2035.

Direct-On-Line Starter: The Direct-On-Line (DOL) Starter segment caters primarily to small motors and commercial applications. Its simple design, cost-effectiveness, and high reliability make it a preferred choice for low-power equipment such as fans, pumps, and small conveyors. DOL starters provide full voltage starting, making them suitable for systems that can handle initial high torque.

The Direct-On-Line Starter market is valued at approximately USD 280 million in 2025, representing nearly 29% of the total automatic motor starters market, growing steadily at a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period.

Rotor Resistance Starter: Rotor Resistance Starters are designed for high-torque applications such as cranes, hoists, mills, and heavy machinery. They enable controlled motor acceleration and smooth performance under varying load conditions. This type is popular in industries requiring precise torque control and enhanced motor protection.

The Rotor Resistance Starter segment holds a market size of about USD 174 million in 2025, contributing roughly 18% to the global automatic motor starters market, expanding at an estimated CAGR of 7.5% through 2035.

Others: This category includes soft starters, hybrid systems, and smart starters equipped with IoT integration, communication protocols, and advanced diagnostic functions. These systems are increasingly adopted in modern automation-driven industries for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance.

The Others segment stands at an estimated USD 144 million in 2025, making up approximately 15% of the total automatic motor starters market, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.3% over the forecast period.

By Application

Oil & Gas: The oil & gas industry utilizes automatic motor starters extensively for drilling rigs, pumping stations, and refining operations. The growing automation in exploration and production processes is boosting the demand for reliable starter systems that enhance safety and efficiency.

The Oil & Gas segment is valued at USD 275 million in 2025, representing around 27% of the automatic motor starters market, with an expected CAGR of 7.6% up to 2035.

Water & Wastewater: This segment benefits from increasing investments in water treatment infrastructure and sustainability projects. Automatic motor starters play a crucial role in managing pumping systems, improving reliability, and reducing energy waste across water processing units.

The Water & Wastewater segment holds a market value of USD 223 million in 2025, contributing 22% to the global automatic motor starters market, with an estimated CAGR of 7.4% through the forecast period.

Industrial Manufacturing: Industrial manufacturing leads the market due to rapid automation, process digitization, and the integration of smart factory solutions. Automatic motor starters ensure optimized operations, motor protection, and reduced downtime across production lines.

The Industrial Manufacturing segment stands at approximately USD 340 million in 2025, accounting for 34% of the automatic motor starters market, expanding at a CAGR of 8.0% through 2035.

Mining Industry: The mining sector depends heavily on durable motor starters for applications like crushers, conveyors, and lifting systems. The demand for high-torque control and reliable performance under harsh environments continues to drive adoption.

The Mining Industry segment is valued at USD 100 million in 2025, representing 10% of the automatic motor starters market, projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period.

Others: Other applications include HVAC systems, agriculture, and renewable energy projects, where automatic motor starters improve system efficiency and longevity. Their integration with smart control panels further enhances energy management and performance tracking.

The Others segment accounts for approximately USD 98 million in 2025, covering about 7% of the automatic motor starters market, with a forecasted CAGR of 7.5% through 2035.

Automatic Motor Starters Market Regional Outlook

The global automatic motor starters market demonstrates a robust regional distribution, with significant contributions from Asia Pacific, North America, and Europe. Asia Pacific remains the leading region, driven by industrial automation, smart factory integration, and rapid urbanization. North America shows stable demand due to technological advancement, high adoption of energy-efficient equipment, and modernization of industrial infrastructure. Europe follows closely with its strong focus on sustainability and compliance with motor efficiency standards. Meanwhile, Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are witnessing growing investments in manufacturing, oil & gas, and water treatment facilities, contributing to increasing market penetration. Regional differences in automation maturity and industrial development are shaping the competitive dynamics of the automatic motor starters market. The continuous integration of IoT, digital monitoring, and intelligent control systems across industries ensures a steady demand across all key regions through the forecast period.

North America

North America’s automatic motor starters market is characterized by a mature industrial base and a strong emphasis on energy-efficient motor control systems. The region’s growth is supported by advanced automation technologies and the replacement of traditional starters with intelligent models in industries such as oil & gas, manufacturing, and HVAC systems. The demand is particularly high in the United States and Canada, where industrial automation penetration exceeds 68%. Smart motor control systems are now being integrated into almost 55% of new manufacturing projects, highlighting the trend toward digital transformation. Additionally, the presence of established electrical equipment manufacturers enhances market stability and technological innovation.

The North American automatic motor starters market is valued at approximately USD 248 million in 2025, accounting for nearly 26% of the total global share, supported by a steady growth trajectory with a projected CAGR of around 7.3% through 2035. The region continues to strengthen its position through adoption of Industry 4.0, green manufacturing initiatives, and high demand for intelligent, energy-saving motor control systems.

Europe

Europe holds a prominent position in the automatic motor starters market due to its stringent regulatory framework for energy efficiency and industrial safety. Countries such as Germany, France, and the United Kingdom are leading adopters of smart motor starters in automated production and building management systems. Over 60% of European industrial facilities have transitioned to advanced motor starter technologies to meet sustainability goals. The market also benefits from growing investments in renewable energy, automotive production, and smart grid modernization. The region’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and optimizing energy consumption continues to drive demand for next-generation automatic motor starters.

The European automatic motor starters market stands at an estimated USD 282 million in 2025, representing around 29% of the total global market share, maintaining consistent growth backed by regulatory compliance and high automation levels. This market expansion is fueled by increasing adoption of digital motor protection systems and integration of energy-efficient starters across industrial and commercial facilities.

Asia-Pacific

The Asia-Pacific automatic motor starters market represents the most dynamic and rapidly expanding regional segment due to accelerated industrialization, infrastructure development, and adoption of smart manufacturing systems. The region’s dominance is driven by strong economic growth in countries such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea. Increasing investments in industrial automation, energy-efficient technologies, and process optimization have boosted the deployment of automatic motor starters across multiple sectors, including manufacturing, water treatment, and mining. More than 45% of regional industries have integrated digital motor control systems to enhance production efficiency and reduce downtime. Government initiatives supporting smart factories and sustainable industrial growth further enhance the region’s market prospects. The automotive and electronics manufacturing hubs in Asia-Pacific also significantly contribute to demand for reliable and intelligent motor starter solutions.

The Asia-Pacific automatic motor starters market is valued at approximately USD 432 million in 2025, commanding a leading 43% share of the global market. The region is expected to maintain a robust growth rate with a CAGR of about 8.2% through 2035, driven by high industrial automation rates and strong adoption of energy-efficient motor control technologies across key developing economies.

Middle East & Africa

The Middle East & Africa automatic motor starters market is witnessing steady growth fueled by the expansion of industrial facilities, infrastructure modernization, and large-scale investments in oil & gas, water management, and mining sectors. The demand for automatic motor starters is increasing in petrochemical industries and energy projects that rely on high-performance motor control systems for reliability and operational safety. In the Gulf countries, automation projects in desalination and oil refineries are generating consistent demand. Meanwhile, in Africa, infrastructure development and growth in the mining and construction sectors are propelling market penetration. Around 35% of the regional industries are transitioning to automated motor control systems to enhance energy efficiency and system protection, reflecting a notable shift toward digital and sustainable operations.

The Middle East & Africa automatic motor starters market holds a market size of around USD 107 million in 2025, accounting for approximately 11% of the global market share. The region is anticipated to expand further with a CAGR of nearly 7.4% during the forecast period, supported by rising industrial automation and government initiatives aimed at energy optimization and industrial safety enhancement.

List of Key Automatic Motor Starters Market Companies Profiled

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The automatic motor starters market presents significant investment opportunities across multiple industrial and regional segments, driven by the accelerating pace of industrial automation, smart manufacturing, and sustainability initiatives. Over 62% of global manufacturers are prioritizing automation-focused capital investments, with motor control and protection systems ranking among the top three expenditure areas. Approximately 48% of industrial enterprises are upgrading to automatic motor starters to improve operational efficiency and minimize downtime, while nearly 41% of these installations now include digital connectivity and remote monitoring capabilities. Investments in smart factories are projected to rise by more than 35%, with a strong focus on integrating automatic starters into energy-efficient production environments. Additionally, about 30% of the total industrial motor control budget globally is being allocated to modernization and retrofitting projects. Regions such as Asia-Pacific and North America account for a combined 69% of global market investments, reflecting rapid industrial digitization. The emergence of predictive maintenance solutions, IoT-based control panels, and energy-optimized starter systems offers new pathways for investors seeking long-term returns in automation technology. With over 52% of companies emphasizing sustainable industrial operations, the demand for advanced motor starter systems continues to grow as a key enabler of productivity and energy efficiency worldwide.

New Products Development

Product innovation is reshaping the automatic motor starters market as manufacturers focus on developing smarter, safer, and more energy-efficient solutions. More than 55% of new product launches are centered around digital and IoT-enabled motor starters that support real-time diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and adaptive control functions. Recent developments show that nearly 46% of newly introduced starters feature integrated communication protocols such as Modbus, CANopen, and Ethernet for seamless connectivity with industrial automation systems. Manufacturers are also emphasizing modularity and compact design, with around 39% of new products offering enhanced thermal protection and reduced wiring complexity. In addition, 33% of the market’s recent innovations target heavy-duty industrial applications, ensuring superior overload protection and voltage stability. Companies are increasingly aligning their R&D investments toward sustainability, with approximately 28% of new starters designed to cut energy losses by up to 25%. The integration of AI-based control systems is emerging as a game changer, enabling intelligent load management and fault prediction. Furthermore, over 40% of key manufacturers are forming collaborations with automation solution providers to develop plug-and-play systems for industrial and commercial use. These advancements are setting the foundation for a new generation of automatic motor starters tailored for smart, efficient, and digitally connected industries.

Recent Developments

The automatic motor starters market has seen a wave of technological innovation and strategic initiatives by key manufacturers during 2023 and 2024, emphasizing digitalization, sustainability, and industrial automation. Companies are focusing on IoT integration, modular product design, and improved energy efficiency to meet the increasing demand for intelligent motor control solutions.

• ABB: Launch of Digital Smart Starters – In 2023, ABB introduced a new line of digital smart starters integrated with cloud-based monitoring systems. Over 60% of the system’s functions are automated, enabling remote diagnostics and performance optimization, reducing downtime by nearly 25%. This innovation is aimed at energy-conscious manufacturing and infrastructure sectors seeking data-driven motor control systems.

• Schneider Electric: EcoStruxure Motor Control Enhancements – In early 2024, Schneider Electric expanded its EcoStruxure platform with new automatic motor starter modules featuring enhanced safety and energy analytics. These upgrades reportedly increase operational efficiency by 30% and extend motor life by approximately 20%, contributing to sustainable automation in industrial facilities.

• Siemens: Compact SIRIUS 3RW5 Launch – Siemens unveiled the next-generation SIRIUS 3RW5 soft starter series in mid-2023. With a 35% smaller design and advanced current-limiting capabilities, this model reduces power losses significantly and integrates digital interfaces for Industry 4.0 environments, promoting high adaptability and user-friendly configuration.

• Eaton: Expansion of Intelligent Control Solutions – In 2024, Eaton introduced intelligent motor starter units that combine automatic protection with real-time diagnostics. These solutions provide up to 40% faster fault response and enhance system reliability, particularly for heavy industrial and energy applications.

• Rockwell Automation: Integration of Predictive AI – Rockwell Automation announced in late 2023 the incorporation of predictive AI algorithms into its Allen-Bradley motor starter series. The new feature detects up to 80% of potential faults before they occur, improving productivity and minimizing maintenance costs across key industrial verticals.

These developments underline the industry’s strategic focus on smart automation, improved safety features, and reduced energy consumption, aligning with global trends toward digital transformation and sustainable manufacturing systems.

Report Coverage

The report on the automatic motor starters market provides a comprehensive overview of the industry landscape, encompassing technological trends, segmentation analysis, and regional outlook. It covers over 85% of the global market’s active manufacturers, offering insights into competitive strategies, innovation trends, and future investment prospects. The study evaluates product types, including star delta, direct-on-line, and rotor resistance starters, analyzing their application across major sectors such as oil & gas, water treatment, industrial manufacturing, and mining. The report highlights that approximately 68% of the demand originates from industrial automation and process optimization activities, with energy-efficient products accounting for nearly 57% of new installations globally. It further examines market dynamics across key regions, revealing that Asia-Pacific contributes around 43% of total volume, followed by Europe and North America with a combined share exceeding 55%. The report also emphasizes the growing role of smart technologies, with IoT-enabled automatic motor starters representing nearly 45% of total product launches. Through an extensive analysis of product innovation, competitive developments, and market drivers, the report provides an in-depth understanding of future opportunities and strategic pathways for stakeholders in the automatic motor starters market.