Robot orders in North America declined slightly in the first quarter of
2019 compared to the same period last year, according to the latest
statistics released by the Robotic
Industries Association (RIA), an organization of the Association
for Advancing Automation (A3). North American companies ordered a
total of 7,876 robots valued at $423 million during the three months, a
decline of 3.5 percent in units and 3.2 percent in dollars compared to
the first quarter of 2018.
The decline was driven by a decrease in orders from automotive component
suppliers (-16 percent), plastics and rubber (-16 percent), electronics
(-17 percent), and metals (-17 percent). Orders from automotive original
equipment manufacturers (OEMs) were up 41 percent, however, as were
orders from the food and consumer goods industries (+32 percent).
Another bright spot was the solid increase in orders over the fourth
quarter of 2018, with units up nearly 16 percent and revenue up nearly 9
percent.
Shipments Normalize from a Record Year in 2018
In the first
quarter of 2019, 7,577 robots, valued at $452 million, were shipped,
down 29 percent in units and nearly 11 percent in dollars from the same
period last year.
“We are coming off a record year in 2018 so slight declines aren’t
unexpected, and long-term signs remain very healthy,” said Jeff
Burnstein, RIA president. Burnstein cited the strong growth of the
recent Automate 2019 show in Chicago in April, where attendance soared
25 percent over the 2017 show.
“Many of the Automate show attendees are just beginning to explore how
robotics and automation can help their companies become stronger global
competitors,” Burnstein added. “Their expected purchases over the next
year or so should help the industry grow going forward.”
About RIA
Founded in 1974, RIA is a not-for-profit trade
association dedicated to improving the regional, national and global
competitiveness of the North American manufacturing and service sectors
through promotion and enhancement of robotics and related automation.
RIA represents over 550 robot manufacturers, system integrators,
component suppliers, end users, consulting firms, research groups, and
educational institutions. For more details on RIA, visit www.robotics.org
or call 734/994-6088.
About Association for Advancing Automation (A3)
The
Association for Advancing Automation is the global advocate for the
benefits of automating. A3 promotes automation technologies and ideas
that transform the way business is done. A3 is the umbrella group for
Robotic Industries Association (RIA), AIA – Advancing Vision + Imaging,
Motion Control & Motor Association (MCMA) and A3 Mexico. RIA, AIA, MCMA
and A3 Mexico combined represent over 1,200 automation manufacturers,
component suppliers, system integrators, end users, research groups and
consulting firms from throughout the world that drive automation
forward. For more information, visit: A3, RIA, AIA, MCMA, A3
Mexico.
Upcoming A3 Events:
Autonomous
Mobile Robot Conference – September 17, Louisville, Kentucky
MCMA
TechCon – October 7-10, Indianapolis, Indiana
International
Robot Safety Conference – October 15-17, 2019, Indianapolis
Collaborative
Robots, Advanced Vision & AI Conference (CRAV.ai) – November
12-13, 2019, San Jose, California.
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