Abstract
New End Users Change Demand Structure for Industrial Robots in Europe
Creating Opportunities
Consumer markets such as food and beverage (F&B) along with life sciences and
the plastics industry in Europe are increasingly using robotics in materials
handling, signifying a paradigm shift in its end-user distribution. Though the
automotive sector is still the single largest customer, suppliers of
industrial robots are starting to focus on these developing sectors. This
change in end users is expected to be further altered due to reduced
automotive sales in 2005, and the resulting decrease in investments in robots
from automotive original equipment manufacturers. Booming growth in the F&B
sector has created a high demand for materials handling robots in packaging
applications. Emerging sectors that are increasing their share of the total
materials handling robot installations include foundry production, palletising
systems, parts transfer and machine tending systems.
This Frost & Sullivan research service addresses the European Robotics for
Materials Handling Markets. It provides expansive forecasts and analysis based
on different end-user groups, which can help participants understand the
evolution of the market over the years as well as changes in end-user
preferences. The in-depth trend analysis provided in the study helps to
optimise profitability based on the needs and expectations of the market.
Shifting Product Volumes and Product Variations Demand Flexibility in
Manufacturing Processes
"The use of robotics in materials handling is expected to grow significantly,
primarily due to the need for flexibility, aided by positive trends across
non-automotive sectors," states the analyst of this research.
With globalisation, product lifetimes are decreasing, emphasising the need for
manufacturers to be flexible and manage different product types. Changing
product volumes is another dimension to the flexibility requirement. Robots
are the ideal solution as they can be reprogrammed to handle frequent product
changes as well as product volumes with minimal change over time.
Developing Markets Appreciate the Value-addition of Robotics - Lower Costs
and Quality Maintenance
Due to low-profit margins, F&B companies have traditionally been extremely
conservative and are slow to invest in automation and control solutions.
However, increasing labour costs, strict worker safety regulations and hygiene
requirements compel these manufacturers to invest in flexible automation. With
increasing focus on answerability to the consumer, Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) and EU regulations are also expected to have a positive
impact on the demand of robots.
"Innovative and cost-effective solutions combined with efforts made by
manufacturers to educate end users of return on investment from using robots
has brought about increased confidence among F&B processing companies in
making flexible automation investments" says the analyst.
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