Robot sales rise as unemployment rate continues to fall

(Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA - July 29, 2014) Fueled by strong demand from manufacturing companies in all sectors, the North American robotics industry is off to its fastest start ever in 2014, according to new statistics released from Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the industrys trade group.

A record 14,135 robots, valued at $788 million were ordered from North American robotics companies in the first half of 2014, an increase of 30% in units and 16% in revenue over the same period in 2013. The second quarter of 2014 was the main driver of the markets record first half, with 8,197 robots valued at $450 million sold to North American customers. This performance shattered the previous record for a single quarter, exceeding the fourth quarter of 2012 by 31% in units and 17% in revenue.

Since 2010 the robotics market in North America has grown an average of 26% per year leading up to its record setting first half performance in 2014. At the same time, the unemployment rate in the United States has fallen precipitously over this period.

"In 2010, after one of the worst recessions in our nations history, unemployment in the U.S. was nearing 10%," said Jeff Burnstein, President of RIA. "Since then, amidst record years for robot sales, unemployment has steadily fallen toward pre-recessionary levels. The unemployment rate reached 6.1% in June of this year, the lowest it has been since September of 2008."

In addition to falling unemployment, manufacturing jobs are now returning to the U.S. because of automation. "While we often hear that robots are job killers, just the opposite is true," Burnstein added. "Robots save and create jobs."

The automotive industry had the biggest impact on the second quarters performance, with 97% more units ordered over the same quarter in 2013. Non-automotive industries such as semiconductors, life sciences, and food & consumer goods, continued to grow by 22% over the first half of 2013, but the strongest growth came in automotive related industries. Robots ordered from automotive OEM and component industries grew by 36% in the first half of 2014.

"While the automotive industry continues to be the largest customer for robotics, it's great to see non-automotive sectors posting strong growth as well," said Alex Shikany, RIAs Director of Market Analysis. "This is a very positive sign for the long term health of the industry." RIA estimates that some 230,000 robots are now at use in United States factories, placing the US second only to Japan in robot use.

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 325 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 (September 30, 2014 in San Jose, California), the National Robot Safety Conference (October 14-16, 2014 in Ann Arbor, Michigan), the Robotics Industry Forum (January 21-23, 2015 in Orlando, FL) and the biennial Automate Show & Conference (March 23-26, 2015 in Chicago). RIA also provides quarterly robotics statistics and has a content-rich website, Robotics Online. For more details on RIA, visit Robotics Online or call 734/994-6088.

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 Association (MCA). RIA, AIA, and MCA combined represent 750 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; MCA.