August 2010 Market Watch

Robot Sales in North America Jump 40% in First Half of 2010

North American based robotics companies saw orders jump 40% in units in the first half of 2010, according to new figures released by Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the industry's trade group.

A total of 6,316 robots valued at $411.4 million were ordered by North American companies through June, a rise of 40% in units and 48% in dollars over the same period in 2009. When orders to companies outside of North America are included, the increases are even larger, up 54% in units and 62% in dollars.

"In North America, the biggest gains came in orders by non-automotive companies, where units rose 51%," said Jeffrey A. Burnstein, President of RIA. "This is a very positive sign for our industry as it continues to expand into a wide-range of industries such as semiconductor, electronics & photonics, food & beverage, plastics & rubber, consumer goods, and life sciences. Each of these market segments posted substantial gains in the first half of 2010, while automotive orders also grew 30%."

Burnstein noted that comparisons to 2009 look especially strong since last year's numbers were down significantly due to the recession. "We still have a long way to go before the industry is back to pre-recession sales levels, but I'm very encouraged that we're headed in the right direction," he said.

Among leading robot applications, arc welding showed a 52% gain in units, followed very closely by material handling, up 51%. "Material handling continues to be the largest application area for robots, so this big jump in the first half of the year is excellent news," said Burnstein.

Burnstein also noted that material handling robot sales will likely get a further boost when RIA collocates its Automate 2011 trade show (formerly International Robots, Vision & Motion Control Show), with ProMat, a leading trade show for the material handling and logistics industries sponsored by the Material Handling Industry of America. The collocated events take place March 21-24, 2011 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

"There's growing interest in robotics from the warehousing & distribution industries, which are among the major audience segments at ProMat," Burnstein said. "There are mobile as well as stationary robot applications for these industries, and we're also seeing robot arms put on mobile bases. We see major growth opportunities here for our members which makes this collocation very exciting."

RIA estimates that some 198,000 robots are now at work in U.S. factories, placing the United States second to Japan in overall robot use. More than one million robots are now being used worldwide.

Founded in 1974, RIA currently represents some 225 robotics manufacturers, system integrators, component suppliers, end users, consulting groups, and research organizations. In addition to its biennial trade show and conference (now known as Automate, previously known as the International Robots, Vision & Motion Control Show), RIA is best-known for developing the ANSI/RIA National Robot Safety Standard, the annual Robotics Industry Forum (next event slated for January 19-21, 2011 in Orlando, Florida), and Robotics Online, the world's leading site for robotics information.

For more information about RIA and the robotics industry, contact RIA Headquarters at 734/994-6088 or visit Robotics Online.

Please rate this article:

Very interesting, with information I can use
Interesting, with information I may use
Interesting, but not applicable to my operation
Not interesting or inaccurate

Comments: