Robotics demand stays strong
5 Mar 2014
The annual UK sales of industrial robots remained strong in 2013, but fell short of record sales reported in the previous year, according to figures from the British Automation and Robot Association (BARA).
The automotive and automotive components sectors showed strongest demand for robotics, compared with only a modest upward trend over the past few years from other sectors, said Mike Wilson, chairman of BARA.
A total of 2,476 industrial robots were sold in 2012 from the major suppliers, compared with 2,305 units in sold 2013.
We have seen a tremendous level of interest from all sectors
BARA’s Grant Collier
“The Pharmaceutical industry was the strongest with growth of 116% over last year’s result, and food and drink rose by 28%,” he said.
In the plastics sector, robot sales rose by 58% but in Aerospace they fell by 46%.
BARA runs the Automating Manufacturing programme, which is a government initiative to persuade UK companies to automate and remain competitive.
Grant Collier, head of marketing for BARA, said: “We have seen a tremendous level of interest from all sectors for the use of automation but in particular 37% of the total 367 applications received came from the food sector.
However, pressure applied by the major supermarkets to supplier margins had caused some reticence over automation in the food sector, he said.
The Groceries Code Adjudicator has been appointed to address some of these issues, which may help to boost investment in robotics and automation equipment, said Collier.
