The use of industrial robots continues to grow, not just in the U.S. but around the world. How much and why? Read on to see the numbers.

Numbers are an extremely powerful tool. They can help us calculate, quantify, and analyze just about anything. Major decisions are justified and significant investments are made based on what numbers tell us. Numbers often influence our opinions, actions, thoughts, and feelings. As an accountant, my day is filled with numbers. From invoices and financial statements to profit margins and credit balances, I have certainly seen my fair share of integers. But what makes them so important? In the ever changing world of industrial robotics, what can we learn from them?

As it turns out, we can learn quite a bit. It is estimated that over 200,000 industrial robots will be installed worldwide in 2014. This number is 15% higher than the amount of installations in 2013. As industrial robots become more advanced, and innovative technologies are brought to the forefront, new applications are revealing themselves. From packing product and palletizing cases to loading trailers and tending machines, we are continuously finding more and more uses for robots.

As these new applications are discovered, demand for industrial robots continues to increase, and we see a rise in the number of installations. Japan, China, Korea, Germany, and the United States accounted for 70% of the total robot sales in 2013. While these countries are well-established in the robotics market, new countries are starting to invest heavily in industrial robots as well. Robot sales in Mexico increased by 30% to hit a new record high in 2013.

The increased level of activity in this emerging market was one of the key drivers for the opening of the Bastian Mexico office in 2012. Bastian has now sold numerous robotic solutions in this region across a variety of industries and we look for that trend to continue in the future. Another country that has seen significant growth recently is Canada. Canadian robot sales increased by 29% last year and the country has seen consistent improvement since 2010. With a well-experienced team established in Canada, Bastian Solutions has integrated numerous robotic systems here as well.

As stated earlier, the United States is heavily invested in robotic technologies. Sales in the US have increased by an average of 18% per year since 2010. These trends show no sign of slowing down as robot sales in the Americas are expected to continue trending upwards in the years ahead. What are the reasons behind the increase in robot sales across the globe? Perhaps no numbers are more relevant than profits and costs. How can a robot help cut costs and improve the bottom line?

Implementing an industrial robot can help drastically improve productivity. Robots are able to work 24/7 if necessary and don’t require breaks. They help reduce product cycle times, increase throughput, improve consistency, and lead to greater efficiency. All of this helps improve the overall process and lead to higher profits. Bastian Robotics is able to work with all of our customers to design and implement a solution that best helps them cut costs, and quickly realize their return on investment.

From increased sales and installations to more affordable robots and quicker ROIs, all evidence points to the multi-billion dollar market of industrial robotics continuing to grow for years to come. Robots will continue to have a major role in manufacturing and production across the globe, and that is something we are very proud to be a part of.

Author: Jason Nowak