Robotics orders up 41 percent through September

Citation

(2012), "Robotics orders up 41 percent through September", Industrial Robot, Vol. 39 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2012.04939baa.008

Robotics orders up 41 percent through September

Article Type: News From: Industrial Robot: An International Journal, Volume 39, Issue 2

Industry enjoying one of its best years ever

North American based robotics companies are enjoying one of their best years ever, with orders up 41 percent through September.

“In the first nine months of the year the industry has received orders for more robots than in all of 2010, which was also a very good year,” said Jeff Burnstein, President of Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the industry’s trade group which released the new data.

A total of 13,616 robots valued at $848.5 million were ordered in the first nine months by companies in North America. When orders to companies outside North America are included, the totals are 15,683 robots valued at $968 million.

The automotive OEM and component suppliers are the biggest customers, accounting for 53 percent of the new orders. Sales to these segments, which are traditionally the largest for the robotics industry, rose 56 percent through September.

“The tier suppliers to the automotive OEMs have really accelerated their purchases this year, with orders jumping 84 percent,” Burnstein noted.

In non-automotive segments, orders are up 28 percent in the first nine months of 2011. Metalworking and general industry lead the way here, with sales up 55 percent and 45 percent, respectively, in these categories. The semiconductor/electronics/photonics segment is up over nine percent.

The biggest applications gains so far in 2011 are in assembly (+97 percent), coating and dispensing (+71 percent), arc welding (+66 percent), spot welding (+47 percent) and material handling (+28 percent).

“The long-term outlook for robotics in North America remains very strong as more and more companies in all industries become aware of the positive impact robots have on productivity, quality, manufacturing costs, and time to market,” said John Dulchinos, Chair of RIA’s Statistics Committee and President & CEO at Adept Technology, Pleasanton, California.

RIA estimates that some 210,000 robots are now at use in US factories, placing the US second only to Japan in robot use. “Many observers believe that only about 10 percent of the US companies that could benefit from robots have installed any so far,” Burnstein said.

Founded in 1974, RIA represents some 265 companies, including leading robot manufacturers, component suppliers, system integrators, end-users, research groups and consulting firms. RIA’s quarterly statistics report is based on data supplied by member companies representing an estimated 90 percent of the North American market.

For more information on RIA and the robotics industry, visit: www.robotics.org