Robotics Orders Rebound

  Driven by a jump in automotive business, new orders received by North American-based robotics companies rose 39 percent in the first half of 2007, according to new statistics from the Robotic Industries Association (RIA, www.roboticsonline.com), based in Ann Arbor, Mich.

A total of 9,992 robots valued at $563.2 million were ordered from North American robot suppliers through June, the RIA said. These totals represent a gain of 40 percent in units and 12 percent in revenue. The April-to-June quarter was very strong, with increases of 60 percent in units and 24 percent in revenue over the comparable period in 2006.

The 2007 gains can be traced primarily to a 76 percent jump in orders to automotive manufacturers and their suppliers. “Automotive industry buying patterns for robots are quite cyclical and this year we’re seeing the upswing,’” said Jeffrey A. Burnstein, RIA executive vice president. Non-automotive orders declined 5 percent.

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