The Robotics Industries Association just released its mid-year report on North American robot orders and it is safe to say the robot industry is thriving. In fact, the past quarter was the strongest the industry has seen in six years!
The mid-year statistics showed a 41% increase in robot orders when compared to 2010. North American businesses alone placed orders for 8879 robots. Orders from companies outside of North America raised the total to 10,476 robots (representing $667.9 million dollars). These positive numbers were largely impacted by a stellar second quarter.
The RIA robot order statistics provided some information about what type of companies are placing robot orders this year too. Automotive manufacturing continues to invest in robotics and demonstrate its increased financial stability. Robot orders from this sector increased 60% during the first half of 2011.
After a rather timid first quarter, non-automotive companies began investing with more vigor in the second quarter. The RIA reported an increase of 23%. Metalworking companies led the pack with a 70% jump in robot orders. Food and consumer product companies, another non-automotive sector that demonstrated more interest in robotics during the second quarter of 2011, increased robot orders by 60%.
For more information, visit www.robotics.org.
