Citation
Wilson, M. (2001), "Worldwide robotics sales increase in 2000 expected to continue in 2001", Industrial Robot, Vol. 28 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2001.04928dab.010
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited
Worldwide robotics sales increase in 2000 expected to continue in 2001
Worldwide robotics sales increase in 2000 expected to continue in 2001
We are now close to finishing the fourth quarter of the year 2000, but not yet there, when this is written. The IFR/ECE quarterly statistics will come in a few weeks, and a trend report based on the current second half of 2000 and the coming first half of 2001 has just been completed. The latest market history showed some decline world-wide in the first quarter of 2000, but a substantial increase in the second quarter, ending the first half of 2000 with a world-wide increase of 12 percent compared to 1999. The increase was led by Asia and followed by Europe. The USA actually showed a small decline compared to 1999, but then 1999 was a very special year in the USA with exceptionally large automotive orders. Now, close to the end of the year 2000, most of the contacts of the IFR Newsletter make a very positive forecast for the rest of 2000 and the first half of 2001. Several of our major robotics suppliers expect to reach record-breaking production levels when they finish up 2000 in a couple of weeks. By far the most positive expectations concern the European robot market. The automotive industry has issued a number of large orders at the same time as the general industry orders have grown continuously. Virtually all western European countries have very positive expectations for the finishing of 2000, and equally positive forecasts for the first half of 2001. In Asia the market has really start to grow, with special mention of Korea and Taiwan. In North America the automotive orders in 2000 will not reach the record-breaking level of 1999, but the orders from general industry are steadily increasing. The overall level for 2000 will be lower than 1999 but still very high. In summary, on most world markets the robotics business is growing this year. Europe is currently strongest. This issue contains a very current trend report for the second half of 2000 and the first half of 2001.
Mike WilsonIFR Chairman