Robots nearly reach record high for orders in 1st quarter 2014

The Robotic Industries Association (RIA) reported a total of 5,938 robots valued at $338 million were ordered by companies in North America in first quarter 2014, which falls a few hundred robots short of the record set in fourth quarter 2012.

By Robotic Industries Association May 29, 2014

The robotics market in North America posted its second-highest quarter ever in terms of robots ordered in first quarter 2014, according to new statistics from Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the industry’s trade group.

A total of 5,938 robots valued at $338 million were ordered by companies in North America in first quarter 2014, coming in just shy of the all-time record of 6,235 robots valued at $385 million in fourth quarter 2012. Units ordered grew one percent while order dollars fell one percent when compared to first quarter 2013 figures. When sales by North American robot suppliers to companies outside North America are included, the totals are 6,491 robots valued at $372 million.

The automotive industry is still the largest customer for robotics in North America, representing 58% of total orders, but non-automotive industries have continued their rapid growth. The top industries in terms of growth for first quarter 2014 were food and consumer goods (91%), plastics and rubber (55%), and life sciences (36%). "Robotics for use in non-automotive industries is a hot topic right now," said Alex Shikany, director of market analysis for RIA. "In total, the overall number of robots ordered for use in non-automotive industries grew 18% over first quarter 2013," he added.

In terms of applications for robot orders, sizeable increases were seen in coating and dispensing (24%) and assembly (18%).

RIA estimates that some 228,000 robots are now at use in United States factories, placing the US second only to Japan in robot use. "Many observers believe that only about 10% of the U.S. companies that could benefit from robots have installed any so far," Burnstein said, "A very large segment of small and medium sized companies who may have the most to gain are just now beginning to seriously investigate robotics."

Robotic Industries Association (RIA)

www.robotics.org 

– Edited by CFE Media. See more Control Engineering robotics stories.