North American robotics companies post best year since 2007

North American-based robotics companies reported strong growth in 2010, posting the best year since 2007, according to new statistics released by Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the industry trade group.

North American robot suppliers reported orders of 13,174 robots valued at $845.6 million from North American-based companies, increases of 39 percent in units and 49 percent in dollars. When orders from customers outside North America are included, the totals are 15,860 robots valued at $993.2 million, gains of 52 percent in units and 58 percent in dollars.

The automotive industry, including OEMs and their suppliers, accounted for 51 percent of the North American orders in 2010. Orders to this sector, the largest user in North America, were up 34 percent in units.

Nonautomotive orders jumped 46 percent, fueled by large gains in orders from metalworking (+90 percent), semiconductor/electronics/photonics (+66 percent), plastics and rubber (+57 percent), food and consumer goods (+47 percent), and life sciences/pharmaceuticals/biomedical/medical devices (+26 percent).