Automation Industrial robot sales fall slightly - outlook cautious

Global sales of industrial robots fell to a high level last year - and are likely to remain there for the time being due to the weakening global economy. In 2023, around 541,300 new systems were installed in factories around the globe.

According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) in Frankfurt, this represents a drop of 2.1% compared to the previous year's record figure. Sales of industrial robots exceeded the half a million mark for the first time in 2021. This was due to the economic recovery after the first year of coronavirus.

IFR Secretary General Susanne Bieller said: "The decline is due to developments in China. The growth engine is stuttering there". The People's Republic is by far the largest single market for manufacturing robots. More than half of all new machines were built there last year. "Contrary to the trend, Europe is the only continent to record a significant increase in installation figures of nine percent."

Many robots for e-car factories

The increase is therefore strongly driven by the positive development in Germany, the most automated economy in Europe. Almost a third of the approximately 28,400 new systems were purchased by the automotive industry. This is significantly more than in the previous year.

"Many robots were purchased for the production of electric cars," explained Bieller. But there were also catch-up effects. "Numerous projects were initiated in 2022 that could only be completed later due to supply difficulties with electronic components." The automotive industry is traditionally the largest customer for robots in Germany - but is currently in crisis. In the past, the industry had expected more sales of electric cars - and invested heavily in new factories. These are currently underutilized.

"Incoming orders have already fallen in the current year. 2024 and 2025 will be rather weak years. We expect a sideways trend," Bieller made clear. Growth is not expected in Germany again until 2026. Globally, the figures are likely to rise again next year. However, the target of 600,000 new robots per year set a year ago is still a long way off.

SDA