The German robotics and automation industry cannot escape the economic slowdown in mechanical and plant engineering: For 2019, the industry expects sales to fall by five per cent to 14.3 billion euros.
„An initially high order backlog was largely reduced over the course of the year and the autumn revival we have seen in previous years failed to materialise. After a decade of records, our innovation and growth sector is now also suffering a significant setback due to the difficult global economic situation,“ says Wilfried Eberhardt, Chairman of VDMA Robotics + Automation and Chief Marketing Officer of KUKA AG.
This trend will continue in 2019 through all sub-sectors robotics and automation. Reasons for the decline include a slowing global economy and saturation effects in key markets. In addition, the current Uncertainty in many customer sectors for investment restraint. As there is currently no sign of a turnaround, VDMA Robotics + Automation is forecasting a decline in investment in 2020. further decline of industry sales by 10 per cent.
„As a key technology for optimising production and as a guarantor of high quality and sustainability standards, robotics and automation will continue to play a central role in the future and return to their growth trajectory in the medium term,“ emphasises Patrick Schwarzkopf, Managing Director of the VDMA Robotics + Automation Association.
Source: VDMA
