North America Robot Orders Drop
August 31, 2023Comments
A slow U.S. economy and high interest rates have taken a toll on robot orders in North America, resulting in a decline in robot orders for the second consecutive quarter, according to the latest report from the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). Robot orders from April to July declined by 37 percent year-over-year, representing a 20-percent drop in value. Through the first half of 2023, the North American robotics market is down 29 percent compared to 2022.
“Over the last five yr., we’ve seen a steady acceleration of robot orders as all industries have struggled with a labor shortage and more non-automotive companies recognize the tremendous value automation provides,” says Alex Shikany, A3 vice president of membership and business intelligence. ”After this post-COVID surge, however, we’re seeing a drawback in purchases, exacerbated by the slow economy and high interest rates. While many companies continue to automate, others just don’t have the capital to invest right now, despite their struggle to find workers willing to do many of the dull, dirty and dangerous jobs that remain unfilled.”
Non-automotive customers ordered more robots during Q2 than automotive customers, with 52 percent of units going to non-automotive industries and 48 percent going to automotive OEMs and component suppliers. The strongest demand in Q2 came from the semiconductor and electronics industries.
See also: Association for Advancing Automation
Technologies: Pressroom Automation
