« Back To Robotics News
Robotic Industries Association Logo

Member Since 1900

LEARN MORE

RIA has transformed into the Association for Advancing Automation, the leading global automation trade association of the robotics, machine vision, motion control, and industrial AI industries.

Content Filed Under:

Industry:
Robotics Robotics

Application:
N/A

North American Robotics Market Sets New Record in First Half of 2016

POSTED 10/07/2016

(Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA) – The North American robotics market has set new records to begin 2016, according to Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the industry’s trade group.

A total of 14,583 robots valued at approximately $817 million were ordered from North American companies during the first half of 2016. The number of units ordered in the first six months marks a new record to begin the year, growing two percent over the same period in 2015, which held the previous record. Order revenue decreased slightly by three percent in the first half of 2016. In the same timeframe, 13,620 robots valued at $838 million were shipped to North American customers. These figures represent the second highest total for units shipped and a new record for shipment revenue in the first half of a year.

The number of robots ordered by Automotive OEMs and Component Suppliers increased 16% and four percent respectively to begin the year, and was the largest driver of the market’s record performance. Similarly, the Food & Consumer Goods industry soared in the first half of the year, ordering 41% more robots than the same period on 2015. Total orders to all other non-automotive industries decreased 14%. In terms of applications, the biggest increases were realized in Inspection (69%), Assembly (38%), and Spot Welding (21%). RIA estimates that some 265,000 robots are now at use in North American factories, which is third to only Japan and China.

“The robotics industry is thriving today as more companies of all sizes are realizing the benefits of automation,” said Jeff Burnstein, President of RIA. “The increasing functionality, flexibility, and safety of robots today is an example of how this dynamic market is reshaping the global manufacturing landscape.”

Burnstein also noted that the RIA and its parent group the Association for Advancing Automation are seeing the growing demand for robotics and automation in events like the upcoming Automate 2017 trade show. “With eight months to go, the exhibit floor at Automate 2017 is already over 13% larger than our final 2015 event,” he said. “This growth is attributed to the fact that leading automation companies are reaching out to small and medium sized customers. These companies, many of whom are just now beginning to explore automation, makes up the core of the Automate 2017 attendee base, and early indicators are that the attendance in 2017 will be more than 50% higher than two years ago.”


 

Automate 2017, the industry’s leading event, will take place April 3-6, 2017 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The event also features the International Symposium on Robotics, which was last held in the United States in 2015. For complete details on Automate, which is held every two years, visit www.automateshow.com.

About Robotic Industries Association (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 398 robot manufacturers, system integrators, component suppliers, end users, consulting firms, research groups, and educational institutions. The association hosts a number of events including the International Collaborative Robots Workshop (October 20, 2016 in Cincinnati), the National Robot Safety Conference (October 17-19, 2016 in Cincinnati), the A3 Business Forum (January 18-20, 2017 in Orlando) and the biennial Automate Show & Conference (April 3-6, 2017 in Chicago). RIA also provides quarterly robotics statistics and has a content-rich website, Robotics Online.

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, and Motion Control & Motor Association (MCMA). RIA, AIA, and MCMA combined represent some 960 automation manufacturers, component suppliers, system integrators, end users, research groups and consulting firms from throughout the world that drive automation forward.

For more information, please visit our websites: A3 - RIA - AIA - MCMA.