Technology
German robotics industry expects record sales
Thanks to well-filled order books, the German robotics industry is once again expecting a sales record this year. photo
© Sebastian Kahnert/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa
Whether in industry or in the service sector – robots are in demand. The manufacturers in Germany are happy about well-stocked coffers. But there is a threat of rapidly growing competition from China.
In view of well-filled order books, the German robotics industry sees itself on the way to a sales record this year. “In 2023, the previous record result from 2018 of 15.1 billion euros with an expected turnover of 16.2 billion euros should be significantly exceeded again,” said Frank Konrad, chairman of the VDMA Robotics + Automation association on Friday in Munich.
Compared to the previous year, the industry assumes a sales increase of 13 percent. However, when it comes to the degree of automation in the economy, China threatens to overtake Germany.
With 322 robots per 10,000 employees in the manufacturing industry, China has already overtaken the USA in 2021 (274 units). According to the association, the country will also overtake Germany this year (2021: 397 units per 10,000 employees). “We welcome the initiative of the Federal Chancellor’s Future Council to strengthen robotics and automation in Germany,” said Konrad. “In view of the new challenges, there is no time to rest in international competition.”
According to Konrad, the industry is currently leaving the consequences of the corona pandemic behind. In view of the easing in the supply chains, the high order backlog from the pandemic period would be gradually reduced. Demand is expected from both industry and the service sector in Germany. Service robots would be needed, for example, to remain productive despite staff shortages. In manufacturing, the expansion of renewable energies requires cost-effective and highly automated mass production of certain products, such as fuel cells.
The industry is hoping for an additional boost from the Automatica trade fair in Munich (June 27 to 30).