2011 robot sales grew by 68%
1 min read
The media's current criticism of Britain's manufacturing performance may have overlooked some important robot sales statistics compiled by the British Robot and Automation Association (BARA), which reveal that sales in 2011 improved by a dramatic 68% over the previous year.
Almost all of the major robotics suppliers to British Manufacturing have reported this trend which must be welcome news for the industry. After all, cash strapped companies would not be installing all this robot capacity just to have it stand idle, as recent media reports may imply.
The most dramatic growth has come from the automotive or automotive components sectors with growth of 235% and 176% respectively. Surprisingly both the food and drink and pharmaceutical, health and medical sectors reported a decrease of 8% and 76% respectively.
Mike Wilson Chairman of BARA commented on the resjlts: "We are delighted with such an increase in industrial robot sales over the year although most of this has been within the automotive industry. Most sectors have experienced increases and this represents the best growth statistics since 1997. Average growth is nearly 70% year-on-year which represents strong sales for most of the robot manufacturers."
Wilson added: "The Government is also putting considerable money behind the promotion of robotics in UK Manufacturing in recognition that robots actually create more jobs through growth.
Currently over 100 companies are making use of the free automation review open to any UK manufacturer. This in turn should also enhance growth in robotics over the next couple of years."
