Good start for robotics sales in 1999

Citation

(1999), "Good start for robotics sales in 1999", Industrial Robot, Vol. 26 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.1999.04926eab.002

Good start for robotics sales in 1999

Good start for robotics sales in 1999

Keywords Robotics

We have had contact with some of our major member companies, and they confirm that the robotics world market has really started in a positive way so far in 1999. At least this is true for the European and North/South American markets, whereas the markets in Japan and other Asian countries still show negative influence from recent financial problems.

This robotics market growth continues a trend that started slowly last year. If we concentrate our views on technologically high qualified robots, i.e. robots with five axes or more, the past year showed a small increase of 4 per cent up from a minor negative development in 1997. But for 1999, the year ahead of us, an increase of as much as 10 per cent is forecast.

This would bring the sales of five axes+ robots annually up from the current 34,000 to 37,000 robots.

So much for forecasts, but our major robotics companies also report that 1999 already has started on a very positive note. Many orders were reported during January and February. Automotive projects, which were quite low in 1998, are picking up strongly. We see clearly the trend of outsourcing among automotive companies, in the way that many major orders are coming from automotive sub-suppliers.

In another month, early in April 1999, we were able to report to the manufacturing companies, in our quarterly statistics, how the development in the first quarter of 1999 had actually been. You, who are robot manufacturers, make sure that you become part of our quarterly statistics group and report in as fast as possible. These are the fastest robotics market statistics available.

A word regarding new but fast developing markets: IFR is highly interested in reporting how new markets are developing. The fastest developing new market area today is the food processing industry. This major area, potentially matching the automotive industry in size, is right now at the beginning point but developing very fast. Robots are needed for an immense number of material handling jobs, packing in chocolate boxes, in cartons and on pallets. This is an industry which is not really used to flexible automation. It is a very, very major market opportunity. We at IFR hope that you are all gearing up for this major opportunity.

As a result of the major interest of the food processing industry, IFR will arrange participation in several of the coming events and shows of the food processing industry, especially in Europe. Already in 1999 very major events have taken place in Germany, for example INTERPAC in Munich in May-June of 1999.

We have also heard about positive developments in robotics recently in the plastics industry, the foundry industry and even in the service robot industry.

Many new areas are moving, and 1999 has started fast. IFR Newsletter reports to you new developments. If you are in the robotics market, please report your views to us, and we will carry them forward to other readers.